PVL: Returning MJ Phillips helps Petro Gazz clinch top spot

Returning Petro Gazz Angels star MJ Phillips in the PVL All-Filipino Conference. –PVL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—MJ Phillips was victorious in her return to the Premier Volleyball League, helping the Angels to their latest victory in the All-Filipino Conference at Philsports Arena on Saturday.

Phillips fueled Petro Gazz’s 22-25, 25-23, 25-23, 25-22 victory over Nxled which also gave the Angels the top seed at the end of the elimination round.

The Korean V-League middle blocker recorded 11 points built on nine successful attacks, a block and an ace to give Petro Gazz a 9-2 record in her return from playing with the Gwangju AI Peppers in Korea.

SCHEDULE: PVL All-Filipino Conference 2024

“This game was very important to me ’cause I just needed a trial run to see how I work with the team and the system and everything. I was a little shaky but we’re gonna get there with more practice,” said Phillips.

Now that the Angels turn their sights on the semifinals, Phillips said she aims to help Petro Gazz perform better than it did in the round-robin.

“I say just go all out, put pressure on them from the beginning and let’s not wait for them to make errors and stuff. We really have to attack them.”

Helping Phillips in the Petro Gazz offense were Brooke Van Sickle and Jonah Sabete, who scored 26 and 12, respectively.

READ: PVL: After key signings, Petro Gazz to be even better in MJ Phillips return

Chameleons ended their All-Filipino campaign with a loss for a 4-7 record. Ivy Lacsina scored 28 points in the team’s last game this conference.

Meanwhile, Cignal triumphantly ended its campaign with a sweep of Capital1, 25-19, 25-17, 25-20.

Ces Molina and Rose Doria powered the HD Spikers with 12 points each to give Cignal a proper sendoff on a 7-4 record.

The Solar Spikers crashed to an abysmal 1-10 card but not without Jorelle Singh’s 14-point outing.

Akari denied Strong Group a win in its inaugural season in the PVL with a dominant 25-8, 25-15, 25-16 sweep.

Dindin Santiago-Manabat spearheaded the Chargers to a 5-6 card with a game-high 12 points while Grethcel Soltones and Faith Nisperos also tallied nine points a piece in the dub.

Souzan Raslan led the team on offense with 10 points but it was not enough to give Athletics a win in their first conference in the league.