Petro Gazz names Koji Tsuzurabara as new head coach

Petro Gazz continues rebuilding its program ahead of the 2024 PVL All-Filipino as the Angels tapped Japanese tactician Koji Tsuzurabara as its new head coach, replacing Timmy Sto. Tomas at the helm.

The team announced the development on Sunday as they look to bounce back from a title-less run last year. 

Tsuzurabara previously served as the head coach of Chinese Taipei national women's volleyball team which he led in various international tournaments such as the AVC Cup and the FIVB Challenger Cup.

He will take over the reins from Sto. Tomas, who ended a short stint as the tactician after just one conference. 

Tsuzurabara's arrival fueled up Petro Gazz' buildup for the upcoming season as it also recently secured the services of Myla Pablo, Michelle Morente, Joy Dacoron, and Ethan Arce during the busy off-season.

Their biggest acquisition, though, was the 5-foot-9 spiker Brooke Van Sickle, who is a former US NCAA Division 1 player for Oregon University. 

In 2023, Petro Gazz had its ups and downs after finishing as runner-up to Creamline during the first serving of the All-Filipino Conference before winding up ninth in the Invitational Conference. 

They ended the year at sixth spot in the 2nd All-Filipino Conference with a 6-5 record. 

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News