No Shortcuts, No Excuses: Petro Gazz’s journey to the PVL Finals was earned

"Teamwork makes a team work." Coach Tsuzurabara's mantra is changing the game for Petro Gazz. [PVL Images] — “Teamwork makes a team work.” Coach Tsuzurabara’s mantra is changing the game for Petro Gazz. [PVL Images]

By Brian Yalung

After a long wait, the patience and hard work that the Petro Gazz Angels have put in are finally reaping dividends. Through the guidance of coach Koji Tsuzurabara, the team finds itself on the grand stage once more — the PVL All-Filipino Finals.

Since joining Petro Gazz, the soft-spoken coach has remained patient, figuring out how to unleash the team’s full potential. By reaching the finals, it appears Tsuzurabara has finally figured that out.

However, if you ask him the reason behind the Angels’ late surge, coach Koji refuses to take the credit and stresses that he didn’t do anything out of the ordinary. He believes that it is his players who should be lauded for their hard work and for cohesively playing as one unit.

“I can see the improvement of the players compared to last year in this league. I haven’t done anything special,” said Tsuzurabara in an exclusive interview. “Our captain, Rem (Remy Palma), is bringing the players together and improving teamwork.”

Coach Koji Tsuzurabara shares instructions on the sideline. [PVL Images]

‘Teamwork makes a team work’

The first time that I was able to meet and chat with coach Tsuzurabara was in 2024. In our conversation, there was one quote that stuck in my mind to this day: “Teamwork makes a team work.” He admits that this is a phrase that he always adheres to.

“This is a phrase I always adhere to. This is because the environment in which the players play plays a major role,” Tsuzurabara explained. “It’s not easy to get players to understand teamwork. That’s why I always tell my players: Change your way of thinking.”

Now, nearly a year later, Tsuzurabara’s philosophy has transformed the Angels into a formidable team. They are now unified, and this is one reason why Petro Gazz has been doing well as of late.

“Now, the PGA has a stronger bond of teamwork. Improving teamwork is more difficult than providing technical guidance,” the Angels coach quipped.

The ultimate test for coach Tsuzurabara and the Angels will be against the Creamline Cool Smashers when the PVL All-Filipino Finals unfurls on Tuesday, April 8.

Tsuzurabara is aware that Creamline boasts a stacked lineup — a team composed of several top players the country has produced. However, he believes talent is no assurance that winning a championship is guaranteed.

“I’m looking forward to the match against Creamline because Creamline is the team with the best mind, technique, and body,” he admitted. “We can’t win with skill alone. It’s not the strongest team that wins. The team that deserves to win becomes the champion.”

Despite that, Tsuzurabara clarified that the Angels remain the challengers in the upcoming finals duel. As far as he is concerned, that tag is fine by him.

“We just keep trying. We have been working hard to become champions,” he said.

"It’s not the strongest team that wins. It’s the team that deserves it." - Coach Koji Tsuzurabara [PVL Images] — “It’s not the strongest team that wins. It’s the team that deserves it.” – Coach Koji Tsuzurabara [PVL Images]

Tsuzurabara wants all hands on deck

While players like Brooke Van Sickle, Myla Pablo, and MJ Phillips have been figuring prominently at the helm, Tsuzurabara insists that his trust extends to every single player on the team.

“I have high expectations of all PGA players. Recognize each other. Help each other. These are important things in team building. One for all. All for one,” he emphasized.

Tsuzurabara admits that he has been hard on the Petro Gazz players, rarely praising them for their efforts. But that doesn’t mean he is not proud of what they have become.

“I don’t usually praise my players. They are always scolded by me. But I want to help them win this PVL [title]. I’m grateful to the players and proud of them.”

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Brian Yalung

Managing Editor at Sports Bytes PH

Brian Yalung is a long-time writer who covers most sports and technology. He focuses on one-on-one interviews with athletes and organizations, going in-depth. He finished his Masters in Business Administration degree at the Ateneo Graduate School of Business and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Applications at the DLSU-College of St. Benilde.