Petro Gazz Angels celebrate their victory over the Creamline Cool Smashers in the PVL Reinforced Conference.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–Petro Gazz continued to turn things around in the second round of the PVL Reinforced Conference after posting back-to-back wins to improve their quarterfinal chances.
The Angels leaned on the duo of Wilma Salas and Brooke van Sickle to upset streaking Creamline, 25-23, 25-19, 20-25, 23-25, 15-12 on Tuesday at PhilSports Arena.
“It was a good game. Today my team, everyone, all 14 players did their best performance. After the interview, I want to hug my players,” Petro Gazz coach Koji Tsuzurabara said.
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Petro Gazz coach Koji Tsuzurabara, Wilma Salas, and Brooke Van Sickle talk about their five-set win over Creamline. #PVL2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/ZuBx8jQH6H
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“These [last] three games are very important for my team. [It was a difficult] first round but this time it’s very important so I wanted to win, we wanted to win today,” he added.
The Cuban fueled her squad with 34 points on 33 attacks and a block apart from 17 excellent digs while Van Sickle went all out for 24 points out of 23 attacks and an ace.
“I’m so happy that we won this game, difficult game because Creamline is a very good team. Every time I say if you’re training good, you do good play. I think this is the point every day with the coaches and the girls for motivation to move up,” Salas said.
Chie Saet orchestrated their offense with 18 excellent sets on the way to a 3-3 card.
That halted Creamline’s four-game win streak and erased the 30-point damage done by Erica Staunton, her league-best.
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It also didn’t matter that Bernadeth Pons had 17 points, other than 19 excellent digs and 26 excellent receptions, and Michele Gumabao added 13 points as Kyle Negrito dished out 27 excellent sets.
But the Cool Smashers are still in good position despite the second loss in six games.
No one was giving an inch in the all-or-nothing fifth set before the Angels gained momentum to pull away, 11-8.
Staunton and Pangs Panaga took turns to reduce the disadvantage at 12-11 before Salas took matters into her own hands, scoring the last three points for the Angels.