PVL: Petro Gazz ends slump with sweep of Choco Mucho

Wilma Salas and Petro Gazz Angels in a PVL Reinforced Conference game against Choco Mucho Flying Titans. –PVL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Petro Gazz ended a three-game losing streak to cap off its PVL Reinforced Conference first round on Tuesday at PhilSports Arena.

Wilma Salas, the Angels’ import, showed up with 18 attack points to lift Petro Gazz to a 2-3 record after blanking Choco Mucho, 25-18, 25-21, 25-18.

“It took us a long time to win but now I understand how [we need to play] the game,” coach Koji Tsuzurabara said.

READ: SCHEDULE: 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference

“I feel happy because we need this game. This game is very important for Petro Gazz so we take this game and I feel satisfied,” Salas said. “I think this is the start for Petro Gazz and we need now to continue working and training and for sure, Petro Gazz will go again.”

The Cuban hitter also caught 18 excellent receptions with Brooke van Sickle still a reliable force with 17 points built on 14 attacks, a pair of aces and a block apart from 12 excellent digs.

Petro Gazz Angels’ Myla Pablo. –PVL PHOTO

Having extended playing minutes for the first time in a long while, Myla Pablo seized the opportunity to contribute 11 points with Chie Saet tossing 15 excellent sets other than seven excellent digs.

“After our three losses, we were a bit down, and so were the coaches,” Pablo said. “But we said that the fight isn’t over yet; we still have more games to play, so that’s where we’ll make a comeback.”

The Flying Titans lost all of their luster, sinking to a sorry 1-4 card after back-to-back losses even with Dindin Santiago-Manabat’s 13 attack points.

Isa Molde was Choco Mucho’s next best scorer despite only finishing with six attack points and 10 excellent receptions while Royse Tubino added six points.

Greek import Zoi Faki was sidelined in the deciding frame after starting in the first two and only made three point and eight excellent receptions.

Pablo and Salas on ending their losing streak. #PVL2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/kXGYNiuKGd

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) August 6, 2024

Choco Mucho’s attempts proved ineffective against Petro Gazz who easily rushed to an 18-12 advantage as the Angels were decided to end its string of bad luck.

Petro Gazz was not able to control the ball at 21-16 but Van Sickle blocked a Santiago-Manabat kill to keep the momentum on the Angels’ side.

Tubino scored off a cross-court kill but committed a service error in the next play as Salas connected on an off speed attack to seal the result.

The Angels, Choco Mucho and winless ZUS Coffee, all at the bottom of Pool B, will move on to the second round in Pool C and battle the top three squads of Pool A.