By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Petro Gazz Angels began its Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference semifinal round with a win after outdueling the Chery Tiggo Crossovers, 20-25, 25-21, 25-15, 25-16, on April 30, 2024, at the Philsports Arena.
After a slow start that allowed the Crossovers to quickly jump with a 1-0 lead, Petro Gazz suddenly flipped the switch and stunned Chery Tiggo after scoring an impressive reverse sweep victory.
With the win, the Angels became the no. 1 team in the ongoing semifinal round-robin stage while also halting Chery Tiggo’s seven-game winning streak before the playoffs started.
Petro Gazz’s star outside hitter Brooke Van Sickle grabbed the spotlight in the match after leading the Angels with 21 points, 12 excellent digs, and eight excellent receptions.
Van Sickle was a force to be reckoned with for the Angels after completing 19 successful attacks that spearheaded a massive second-set run that helped Petro Gazz snatch away the momentum from Chery Tiggo.
The Crossovers were still within striking distance midway through the second set but after Van Sickle dominated in the offensive end, the Angels turned the tables around and were able to build a commanding six-point lead with only three possessions left before set point.
Van Sickle’s stellar showing then injected more energy from her teammates, helping their young star pile up the points to completely obliterate Chery Tiggo in the final two sets.
Aside from Van Sickle, the ever-reliable Aizo Maizo-Pontillas turned back the hands of time for Petro Gazz and backstopped her with 18 big markers.
It was the former UST star and national team staple member who worked hand-in-hand with Van Sickle in the last two sets.
On the other hand, Chery Tiggo was top-scored by their main gunner Eya Laure who dropped 15 points derived from 12 successful attacks but wasn’t enough to reverse the Crossovers’ fortune in their first game of the PVL semifinals.
