Petro Gazz names Oliver Almadro as new coach entering the 2023 PVL season

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Petro Gazz Angels did some stunning moves in the ongoing Premier Volleyball League (PVL) off-season including its sudden shift in the coaching staff side.

Despite a winning season with former head coach Rald Ricafort, the Angels brought in veteran tactician and past Choco Mucho Flying Titans chief orchestrator coach Oliver Almadro last January 10, 2023.

Almadro’s arrival at Petro Gazz was a surprising turn of events after the former Ateneo de Manila coach served as Choco Mucho’s consultant days after stepping down as the team’s head coach.

The coaching shuffle was then made official after Petro Gazz announced on their social media accounts regarding the latest development in the PHL volleyball professional scene.

Prior to his resignation from his post at Choco Mucho, Almadro stated that he will be focusing more on the development of the Ateneo tertiary team as the UAAP season nears this 2023.

However, Ricafort’s sudden departure from the Angels urged the management to find another top-tier volleyball mind and Almadro immediately became their top prospect.

It only took one week for the Angels to receive coach Almadro’s affirmative commitment and will immediately hold the team practices after getting all set with Petro Gazz.

Replacing his position at Choco Mucho is the most decorated men’s volleyball coach Dante Alinsunurin.

Alinsunurin already became a legend in the men’s volleyball scene after leading National University (NU) to four UAAP championship titles.

Aside from the UAAP crowns, Alinsunurin was also the architect behind NU’s Spikers’ Turf championships, the men’s professional volleyball league.

After making a name for himself in the collegiate scene, the tactician was called up by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) to lead the country’s men’s national team during the 30th Southeast Asian Games (SEAG).