By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Petro Gazz Angels added to the woes of the Akari Chargers after dealing them their third consecutive defeat, 28-26, 29-27, 25-18, in the ongoing Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference on December 5, 2024, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Despite the 3-0 sweep, the match can be classified as a nail-biting showdown as the Chargers had all the chances to secure the first two sets but crumbled in the clutch moments.
In the opening set, Akari possessed a comfortable 16-11 advantage and were efficient in running their back set plays to their outside hitter Ivy Lacsina.
Lacsina had a great start in the game and immediately scored four quick points as she paid off the trust of Kamille Cal, Akari’s setter, who was feeding her with good looping sets.
However, Petro Gazz snatched the momentum away when they established an 8-2 scoring run that forced the first set to go the distance.
With the Angels only needing two more points to bag the momentum-boosting victory and complete the comeback, the trio of Brooke Van Sickle, Myla Pablo, and Aiza Maizo-Pontillas stepped up and delivered the finishing touches.
It was another nip-and-tuck affair in the second frame as Akari replicated its hot start courtesy of Lacsina’s precise cross-court spikes.
Aside from Lacsna, Gretchel Soltones, the team’s veteran offensive player, also joined the party and gave the Chargers the quick lead before another avalanche was handed by the Angels.
Van Sickle once again played spoiler to the Chargers, dropping three crucial points that steered Petro Gazz to a thrilling two-point set win and grab a 2-0 lead.
Exhausted and frustrated, Akari fumbled their chances in the third and final set and could only watch Petro Gazz pick them apart with their rejuvenated performance.
Van Sickle led the Angels with an efficient outing of 19 points built from 15 successful attacks, while Pablo added 15 markers, a service ace, and a block.
On the other hand, Lacsina did all for the Chargers but her 21-point performance wasn’t enough to lift Akari out of the hole that they are currently in.
