Petro Gazz, already assured of semifinals, puts on a show for Iloilo crowd

Aiza Pontillas (in red) goes for a kill on the way to 13 points for Petro Gazz. —PVL PHOTO

There was nothing really at stake for Petro Gazz on Tuesday, but days after hitting their first target—something coach Oliver Almadro said they unexpectedly achieved—the Angels dismissed any opportunity to take a breather.

“We will need to work even harder, to focus more and continue to trust in each other,” Almadro told the Inquirer after a furious 25-21, 28-26, 25-21 dismantling of formidable Chery Tiggo at a packed San Agustin Gymnasium in Iloilo province on Tuesday that closed out the Angels’ Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference elimination round schedule.

“We cannot slow down, we have to be even more consistent than we have been (in the eliminations),” he added after getting four players in twin digits in a game which they could have taken lightly after already being assured of advancing as early as last week because of a superior sets-won ratio.

In closing out with a 6-2 record, the Angels also ousted the Crossovers, who slipped to 4-4, and gave PLDT a free Final Four ride with a game left on the High Speed Hitters’ schedule.

PLDT will close out against also-ran crowd-darling Choco Mucho at PhilSports Arena on Thursday, and a loss will pull the High Speed Hitters down into a semis showdown against consensus team-to-beat Creamline in a best-of-three series.

Fans watching the PVL provincial game at the San Agustin Gymnasium in Iloilo. –PVL PHOTO

That scenario will also seal a Petro Gazz-F2 semifinal matchup.

“This is something we really did not expect,” Almadro said of making the semifinals considering that the team had lost its top scorer and best libero in the offseason. “But the players have refused to use that as an excuse and have fought it hard against anyone every night.

“I’m happy that we are all continuing to grow together,” said Almadro, who is just in his third month of handling the Angels. “The hard work just continues for everyone and we are hopeful that the Good Lord will give us a place in the title series.”

Both squads went all-out in the second set, launching a string of rallies that had the 7,000-strong crowd roaring.

“We are just overwhelmed because of the big crowd that showed up,” Remy Palma, who had 13 points for the Angels, said. “They really made an effort to come here so for us, playing well is just a way of giving back to the fans.”

Chery Tiggo was down by seven, 24-17, before winning seven straight points. Palma was able to break the Angels’ dry spell to reach set point, only for Gretchel Soltones to throw it away with a wild serve.

Aiza Maizo-Pontillas brought Petro Gazz to set point anew, only for Mylene Paat to retaliate and tie it all up at 26.

A double-contact violation by Chery Tiggo proved to be costly and Jonah Sabete took advantage by converting a kill to secure a 2-0 lead that all but knocked the wind out of the sails of the Crossovers.