PetroGazz Angels during the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference.–PVL PHOTO
Petro Gazz rebounded from having its winning run in the PVL All-Filipino Conference snapped previously and cruised past Capital1, 25-11, 25-19, 25-14, on Tuesday at PhilSports Arena.
The Angels, who had their three-game win streak halted by Chery Tiggo, depended once again on Brooke van Sickle who had 19 points from 15 attacks, three aces and a block.
Despite having a career-game against the Crossovers, Van Sickle and her scoring partner Jonah Sabete were not able to extend Petro Gazz’s string of luck but returned to their winning ways with the sweep of the Solar Spikers.
SCHEDULE: PVL All-Filipino Conference 2024
“I am just happy with how we were able to bounce back,” Van Sickle said. “Any team winning in three sets in the PVL, it’s a good win … we’re ready to go back into the gym and work hard because we have a very tough team coming up so we gotta lock in.”
Almost every Angel was fielded in and contributed in scoring as Sabete finished with nine points including two blocks while team captain Remy Palma added seven points, three coming from blocks.
Capital1 wanted to level the game in the second frame after creating a 6-2 run to 24-16, but Petro Gazz’s lead was already too much to come back from.
READ: PVL: Petro Gazz outshines Farm Fresh for third straight win
Van Sickle wasted no time leading Petro Gazz to an 11-5 run in the final frame as the Filipino-American hitter nailed back-to-back aces with Myla Pablo, who had four points after starting off the bench in three sets, and Matet Espina hitting consecutive attacks to bury the Solar Spikers to a 20-9 advantage.
And despite the efforts of the frustrated coach Roger Gorayeb and his Capital1 crew, Petro Gazz was just too strong for the newcomers as Van Sickle, who had her family from San Emilio, Ilocos Sur province, among the crowd, ended the match with a smart play.
Angels coach Koji Tsuzurabara saw holes in their defense after being swept by Chery Tiggo. He successfully implemented the adjustments with Petro Gazz, which logged its fifth win in seven games and remained among the league leaders.
STATS: Petro Gazz-Capital1 #PVL2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/DLhWmXXJcC
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) March 26, 2024
The Japanese mentor praised his liberos, Blove Barbon and Jellie Tempiatura, for their “special work.”
“These two liberos, [whether] the team have a good atmosphere or not, they are always patient to read [attacks] that are hard to catch,” Tsuzurabara said. “I say thank you so much, liberos.”
“I know their character: Always do best so if you don’t recognize players who work hard, they will not play [well] so I respect my team’s libero and the other team’s libero also,” he added.
Tempiatura knew the big responsibility given to them by the Angels’ new coach, but she welcomed the challenge.
“Kailangan mo talagang focused every game and thankful ako kay coach kasi binigyan niya ako ng opportunity to play, last conferences onti lang yung playing time ko,” Tempiatura said. “Pinakita ko sa kanya kung paano ako mag-training every day. Dapat deserving sa spot na yun.”
Petro Gazz will have to maintain its momentum and strong play as the Angels battle its biggest threat, defending champion Creamline, next on April 6 at Sta. Rosa Sports Complex in Laguna province.