Jonah Sabete had every reason to stay down.
Cramping up, limping through rallies, and visibly wincing in pain by the second set, the Petro Gazz veteran could’ve asked to be subbed out. But when the lights were brightest and the stakes were highest, Sabete stood firm—not just for herself, but for the team that had believed in her from day one.
Sabete dug deep and delivered one of the grittiest performances of her career on Saturday night, helping the Petro Gazz Angels soar past powerhouse Creamline in four thrilling sets, 25-21, 25-16, 23-25, 25-19, to claim their first-ever Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference title at a packed SM Mall of Asia Arena.
“Yun na nga, ayun masaya kasi siyempre, yun din naman gusto ng management na bigyan namin sila ng championship na All-Filipino Conference,” said Sabete, her voice laced with pride and exhaustion.
It was a full-circle moment for the 31-year-old outside hitter. A cornerstone of Petro Gazz since the franchise entered the PVL in 2019, Sabete’s journey has been one of persistence—navigating transfers, rejoining the team after stints with F2 Logistics and Sta. Lucia, and holding firm in Petro Gazz’s multiple title quests.
Saturday night was her reward.
Sabete tallied 16 points in the title-clinching Game 3—behind only reinforcement-turned-sister-in-arms Brooke Van Sickle’s 21-point outburst. More than the stats, though, it was her presence and determination that turned heads and lifted spirits.
Time and again, Sabete hit the floor—only to be helped up by teammates, the crowd roaring in support. But each time she stood, she stood taller.
“Actually sobrang saya namin syempre first time, ilang beses kami na nasa championship — twice? All-Filipino ngayon yung step by step namin biglang sumakses,” she added.
Indeed, it had been a long and painful climb. The Angels had come close in previous conferences but always fell just short, often at the hands of the very team they toppled in Game 3—Creamline, the perennial queens of the league and winners of five straight All-Filipino titles.
This time, Petro Gazz refused to be denied. And Sabete, with her aching legs and full heart, led the way.
Across the series, Sabete was consistent and clutch. She dropped 16 points in Game 1—a thrilling five-set win (25-17, 25-20, 18-25, 20-25, 15-10) that gave the Angels early momentum. In Game 2, despite falling short, she turned in a stellar all-around effort with 14 points, 11 excellent digs, and 11 excellent receptions.
That kind of grind has long defined Sabete, a proud product of Bulacan State University. While she may not always be the flashiest player on the court, her work ethic and leadership have anchored the Angels through highs and lows.
Now, she’s finally a champion in the all-local conference—a dream years in the making.
“Kasi maglalaro lang talaga ako eh, ‘yun lang yung goal ko eh. Pero ‘yun nga, binigay din talaga ni Lord sa amin ito siguro. Sobrang proud sa teammates din,” said Sabete, who was visibly emotional during the postgame interview.
“Yun nga, sinabi nga rin namin na ilaban na namin ito na parang walang bukas, na para kahit papaano makuha namin yung championship at ma-feel din yung All-Filipino championship. Sumakses naman.”
Petro Gazz’s win marks a significant shift in the PVL landscape. While Van Sickle’s brilliance and the collective effort of the Angels were undeniably crucial, it was Sabete’s heart—the kind that fights through cramps and limps through points—that gave Petro Gazz its soul.
And in the end, it was that soul that carried them to the top.
