By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Petro Gazz Angels became the first team to take down the Cignal HD Spikers in the ongoing Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference, 25-19, 25-21, 25-18, on December 14, 2024, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
With the momentum-boosting victory before the 2024 PVL playing calendar concludes, the Angels racked their winning streak to four consecutive matches while improving their win-loss record to 5-1. On the other hand, this is the first tournament loss suffered by the HD Spikers after dominating NXLED, Choco Mucho, Chery Tiggo, and Farm Fresh in their first four matches.
Coming off a four-set win against one of the top teams in the league, the PLDT High-Speed Hitters, Petro Gazz quickly took control of the match courtesy of their fluid offensive sets matched with their on-point floor coverage.
Despite a late run mounted by the HD Spikers that pulled them to within three points, Petro Gazz received timely hits from Myla Pablo that helped them secure the opening frame.
However, in the following set, the HD Spikers looked to equalize the affair when they built a 16-11 advantage, thanks to Ces Molina’s vintage performance when she netted three points during that massive run.
Little did Cignal know that the Angels were in for a counterattack that trimmed their deficit to just three and continued to frustrate the HD Spikers in the final six possessions of the period.
The duo of MJ Phillips and Brooke Van Sickle answered the call for Petro Gazz and propelled them to a thrilling second-set comeback highlighted by their middle blocking and back-to-back power hits from the backrow.
With the momentum that Petro Gazz already had after a convincing opener and a come-from-behind effort in the second set, the HD Spikers already looked flat in the third and could only watch the Angels complete the masterclass in just three periods.
Van Sickle hasn’t lost a step and led Petro Gazz for the third straight game with 19 points built from 13 successful attacks alongside seven excellent digs and six blocks.
Backstopping the former Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the PVL was Pablo, who tallied 15 markers, six excellent receptions, three excellent digs, and a block.
“Today’s game was tougher, but we delivered strong defense. Brooke also contributed greatly on defense, which worked to our advantage. Our setters stepped up today, allowing our middle and opposite spikers to perform at their best,” said Petro Gazz chief tactician Koji Tsuzubara after the one-sided win.
