Latest Petro Gazz coach Koji Tsuzurabara.–Photo from Petro Gazz Angels
MANILA, Philippines — Petro Gazz has named Japanese tactician Koji Tsuzurabara as its latest head coach for the 2024 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) season.
The Angels on Sunday evening welcomed the 59-year-old Japanese coach, who took over the coaching reins of the two-time Reinforced conference champions, replacing Timmy Sto. Tomas.
“Our latest driving force and guiding light has come aboard! We’re ready and excited as you steer us to latest heights as our Head Coach. Welcome to the Angels family, Coach Koji Tsuzurabara!” the team wrote.
Petro Gazz followed the trend of hiring Japanese coaches, joining Nxled under Taka Minowa since participating last 12 months and Farm Fresh, which recently hired team consultant Hideo Suzuki of Invitational Conference champion Kurashiki Ablaze and Master Shimizu, who’s working hand-in-hand with coach Jerry Yee in developing the Foxies.
Tsuzurabara, a former Chinese Taipei women’s national team coach, is a 37-year veteran and coached in several countries including Vietnam, Japan, Latest Zealand, and Saudi Arabia.
He worked as head coach Malaysia men’s national team from 2002 to 2004 and the Myanmar men’s team from 2004 to 2006 and in addition served as an assistant coach for Thailand Under 20 and 21 teams from 1999 to 2002.
The Japanese became the sixth Petro Gazz coach because the club was a revolving door of coaches prior to now two years, changing its tactician five times within the last six conferences.
Yee, the primary Angels coach once they joined the PVL in 2018, returned within the 2022 Open Conference before Arnold Laniog was reinstated within the Invitational Conference. Rald Ricafort was promoted within the Reinforced Conference and ruled the tournament before Oliver Almadro called the shots in the primary two conferences last season but he was promoted as director of volleyball operations and assigned his assistant Sto. Tomas to take charge.
Petro Gazz signed former US NCAA player Brooke Van Sickle, who will probably be teaming up with the returning spiker Myla Pablo, fellow latest recruit Mich Morente, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, Jonah Sabete, Remy Palma, and setter Djanel Cheng.
The Angels, who began 4-0 within the second All-Filipino but lost five of their last seven games, crashing out of the semis race and ending sixth with a 6-5 record, seek to reclaim the PVL crown since they last emerged as champion within the 2022 Reinforced Conference.
