Jonah Sabete quickly adapts to role change at Petro Gazz

JONAH Sabete is no longer surprised when asked to turn the tables on a Petro Gazz team full of MVP Spikers.

On Tuesday, the 30-year-old outside hitter was asked to play the opposite role in Petro Gazz’s win over PLDT following a last-minute shakeup by head coach Koji Tsuzurabara. She did well with 17 points.

The shakeup paved the way for PVL MVPs Brooke Van Sickle and Myla Pablo to fill the two primary outside hitter roles, with Sabete and former Philippine Superliga (PSL) MVP Aiza Maizo-Pontillas as utility wingers.

Surprise, surprise

Sabete was still practicing as an outside hitter before the PLDT game. Needless to say, this late change surprised her.

PHOTO: PVL Images

But knowing the unpredictable nature of her coach who tends to pull tricks out of his hat from time to time, Sabete is always ready to adapt to any difficulties that may come her way.

“Lagi naman akong sinasabihan na ‘ready ka lang’ kasi ‘di mo alam kung ano rin talaga magiging posisyon mo,” Sabete shared with SPIN.ph.

“Sobrang happy din naman ako kasi, that means na hindi ako sub lang, that means I have a big responsibility na kapag once na ikaw binunot niya, kailangan mo mag-perform.”

At any rate

Sabete said she is willing to do whatever it takes, even if it means having to play second fiddle for the benefit of the team.

In fact, Sabete has been active in helping bring Pablo back into shape as she takes over the outside hitter duties that were once hers and Van Sickle’s.

PHOTO: PVL Images

“Sinasabihan rin naman namin si Myla na ‘kaya mo yan, dati nga, kaya ka nabansagan na Myla Pablo, ‘di ba?’

“Gina-guide namin si Myla, like “My, vary mo lang “yung palo mo”. ‘Yung mga guide, little guide lang kasi we know Myla. Alam naman niya (laro niya). Contact Tips lang din minsan ‘pag kung ano ‘yung mga nakikita namin sa labas.

It’s the opposite with veteran Maizo-Pontillas.

Sabete said: “Si Nang (Aiza), nandiyan siya to guide us naman lagi sa team namin sa loob ng court.”

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