Angels soar to second round on wings of sweep

PetroGazz swept its way through the first elimination round after shutting down PacificTown-Army on Saturday even as Creamline continued to chase the current Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference leader by adding to Motolite’s woes.

However, the league’s top two squads needed some mid-game adjustments before walking out of Filoil Flying V Centre with key victories.

The Angels survived a second-set uprising to overcome the Lady Troopers, 25-12, 29-27, 25-15, to enter the second round unscathed.

Creamline, meanwhile, bucked a slow start to turn back Motolite, 13-25, 25-19, 25-16, 25-23, for its third straight triumph after losing on opening day.

Tai Bundit returned to coaching Creamline, and it took a while for the Cool Smashers to find their groove. But Thai import Kuttika Kaewpin unloaded 17 points, including key hits late in the fourth, to subdue Motolite.

Powered by imports Wilma Salas and Janisa Johnson, PetroGazz cruised to the next round with five straight wins without losing a set.

“We really didn’t want to lose the [second] set,” said PetroGazz setter Djanel Cheng, who helped her team rally from 17-22 down in the second and fight off two PacificTown-Army set points.

“We just want to improve every game, if the W (win) comes then it’s better,” said PetroGazz coach Arnold Laniog.