PVL: Petro Gazz subdues Chery Tiggo to gain early lead in semis

Brooke Van Sickle leads Petro Gazz to PVL All-Filipino Conference semifinals win over Chery Tiggo. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–Petro Gazz recovered from an opening frame setback to gain the solo lead of the PVL All-Filipino-Conference semifinal race Tuesday night at PhilSports Arena.

The Angels overcame Chery Tiggo, 20-25, 25-21, 25-15, 25-16, behind powerful spiker Brooke van Sickle’s 21 points built around 18 attacks, two blocks and an ace. Van Sickle’s performance also featured 18 excellent digs and eight excellent receptions.

“It was a hard game, isn’t it? It’s too high level this top four teams [are not] easy … I don’t know if we’ll win again next time but today’s a [good] fight, I expected this,” coach Koji Tsuzurabara said shortly after the Angels ended Chery Tiggo’s seven game winning streak.

SCHEDULE: PVL All-Filipino Conference semifinals 2024

Seasoned hitter Aiza-Maizo Pontillas backed up Van Sickle with 18 pts from 15 attacks and three blocks while the returning MJ Phillips immediately made her impact after logging 16 points.

Jonah Sabete didn’t need to try too hard after having a lot of help but she still delivered 13 points and added 18 excellent digs while Remy Palma chipped in 10 points.

Petro Gazz Angels celebrate a point against Chery Tiggo Crossovers in the PVL All-Filipino Conference semifinals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Playmaker Djanel Cheng set up her teammates with 18 excellent sets and had four points from blocks to help Petro Gazz to a strong first game in the semifinals.

“This win was good for us, I think it’ll bring our confidence even more for the next game and we just gotta keep communicating, keep grinding it out and hopefully we get the win next Thursday,” Phillips said.

The Angels would definitely need to continue that as it faces defending champion Creamline next. The Cool Smashers absorbed their first loss against sister Choco Mucho in the earlier game and they would be hungry to avenge that defeat if they want to keep their crown.

Petro Gazz, which avenged a five-set loss against Chery Tiggo in the elimination round, is now tied with Choco Mucho with one win each.

“I am really of the team, I feel like everyone did a really good job like we stayed locked in for the most part, Van Sickle said. “Chery Tiggo, very great team, we knew that it was gonna be a battle for sure.”

READ: PVL: Petro Gazz to be even better in MJ Phillips return

“It semis so you don’t know what’s gonna happen, every team wants to win so it’s close, point by point, so it’s really who wants it,” she added after leading the angels in the two hour and 25 minutes lopsided clash.

Eya Laure tried to keep the Crossovers afloat with 15 points, 13 coming from attacks, while Ara Galang added 10 points from eight attacks and two blocks.

Petro Gazz refused to give Chery Tiggo a chance to come back and surged to a 17-10 lead in the fourth frame.

Petro Gazz coach Koji Tsuzurabara, Brooke Van Sickle, and MJ Phillips talk about their four-set victory that ended Chery Tiggo’s seven-game winning streak. #PVL2024 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/QHje332Ioj

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) April 30, 2024

Laure hurt her hand after clashing with Shaya Adorador while diving for the ball and it was all downhill from there for Chery Tiggo.

Phillips hit a quick attack before an ace directed to Laure and Pontillas’ drop shot widened the margin for the Angels.

EJ Laure launched a service error to the net late in the fourth frame before Petro Gazz hampered an attack by Galang and Palma and Van Sickle combined to clinch the game.

“We’re just very aware of the situation about what’s going on with the semis and each team is just always going to try to push us against the wall so our mentality is just always being aggressive no matter what and not let them score the points first,” Phillips said.