Chie Saet relishes Taiwan tilt for Petro Gazz Angels

MANILA, Philippines – Veteran volleyball player Relea “Chie” Saet is experiencing a déjà vu moment as her team, the Petro Gazz Angels, will be participating in the 2019 Taichung Bank International Women’s Volleyball Tournament in Taiwan from September 15-19.

While technically not national team volleyball, the Angels will be representing the Philippines in the single round robin tourney where the top team, whether via wins or quotient, will bag the championship plus US$10,000. 

This tournament will be Saet’s third international tournament after the 2013 Asian Volleyball Championships and the 2017 Princess Maja Chakri Sirindhorn’s Cup, which were both held in Thailand.

“Anytime you represent a club or even a country in an international tournament is a great feeling and experience,” said Saet, who was visibly grateful for this opportunity as well as for her teammates. “I am happy for Petro Gazz na new team na walang pang two years and for my teammates na first time maka-experience na ganitong tournament. You always want to test yourself against the best in the region and this can only help our team as well as Philippine volleyball.”

Saet has seen the level of Philippine volleyball rise through the last 10 years and while strides have been made, much work remains to be done. “The level of competition in Asia is really high and you quickly learn how you stack up against international competition. The more you are exposed to this the better you get.”

The Angels will be pitted against two local Taiwanese clubs and one team each from China, Japan, and Thailand. “Masusubukan yung aming training, confidence, and skills kasi araw araw for five straight days yung laro. Then when we return, second round na ng Premier Volleyball League Open Conference. So, it isn’t the only the result, but also the experience and the bonding for the team that will help us in the long run. This is a big opportunity for us.”

Aside from Saet, the only other Petro Gazz Angel with international experience is outside hitter Stephanie Mercado.