The Angels celebrate a hard-earned victory. —PVL
PetroGazz now knows better than to take an opponent lightly. After all, it paid a big price last year when it lost to a high school squad in a major tournament. On Thursday, it made sure to treat BaliPure with a greater sense of urgency.
Aiza Maizo-Pontillas and Grethcel Soltones presided over the Angels’ balanced attack against the Water Defenders in a 25-14, 25-20, 23-25, 25-21 victory that launched its bid in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Open Conference at Paco Arena in Manila.
“We just had to play our game and make key adjustments especially when BaliPure was making a run,” said Pontillas, the 34-year-old new addition to the Angels in the preseason.
Meanwhile, Creamline got to start its own campaign in a big way, whipping PLDT Home Fibr, 25-16, 25-18, 25-22,
A veteran of several national teams and club championship squads, Pontillas provided the much-needed counterweight for PetroGazz which, despite its top caliber roster, suffered a shocking loss to California Precision Sports (CPS) during the Champions League a few months ago.
“Even with a two sets lead, we know that they (BaliPure) will come back, they are all fighters,” said PetroGazz coach Jerry Yee in Filipino. The national youth team chief incidentally handled the CPS when it stunned the Angels last December.
“They have younger legs so they can sustain it the longer the match goes,” added Yee.
Good thing his charges responded at the height of the BaliPure rally.
Soltones drilled in back-to-back aces to frustrate the Water Defenders’ run. She finished with 12 points like Remy Palma and MJ Phillips.