By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Petro Gazz Angels kicked off their Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference with a bang after taking down the Choco Mucho Flying Titans, 25-20, 26-28, 25-21, 25-16, on November 9, 2024, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
After almost two months of off-season, the Angels returned with a sense of urgency following a disappointing finish during the PVL Reinforced Conference.
Brooke Van Sickle vented her ire on the Flying Titans as the superstar outside hitter erupted for 34 big points derived from 28 successful attacks.
From the get-go, the powerful spiker had no problem dealing with Choco Mucho’s organized middle-blocking defense and continuously put pressure on the net with her precise attacks.
It was midway through the opening frame when Van Sickle went into unconscious mode as she scored three straight clean spikes followed by a crafty drop ball that increased their advantage to three points.
Aside from her signature offensive performance, Van Sickle also stuffed the stat sheets and tallied 14 excellent digs, four service aces, and two kill blocks.
Just when Van Sickle and the Angels thought they already figured Choco Mucho out, the returning Sisi Rondina spoiled their plans and showed the way as she led her squad to an impressive comeback to level the affair at 1-1.
Rondina helped Choco Mucho weather the storm when Petro Gazz built their lead, exposing their back row coverage with a series of off-spin spikes that appeared to be tricky upon landing on the floor.
However, when the third set began, Petro Gazz rode on a momentum-clinching 8-4 run that turned the tides in their favor.
Equipped with a better defensive scheme to contain Rondina and Kat Tolentino, the Angels finally found the right formula that led them to a sweeping victory in the final two sets.
Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, one of the veteran attackers in Petro Gazz, turned back the hands of time and backstopped Van Sickle with 18 markers. Jonah Sabvete also produced the same amount of points while Remy Palma added 10.
Petro Gazz will aim to sustain their hot start in the PVL on November 16, 2024, when they square off against the reigning Reinforced Conference queens Creamline Cool Smashers in the last game of the scheduled doubleheader.
Meanwhile, the Flying Titans seek to clinch their first PVL win on November 14, 2024, against the Galeries Tower Highrisers.
