PVL: Wilma Salas, Van Sickle fuel surging Petro Gazz past PLDT

Petro Gazz’s Wilma Salas saves the ball during a game against PLDT in the PVL Reinforced Conference.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–Wilma Salas and Brooke van Sickle formed a lethal 1-2 punch to bolster the playoff chances of Petro Gazz in the PVL Reinforced Conference on Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.

With an important game on the line, Salas and Van Sickle combined for 72 points as the Angels rallied for a 22-25, 25-19, 23-25, 25-19, 16-14 victory over PLDT.

Salas fired 40 points built on 36 attacks, three blocks and an ace while Van Sickle added 32 points with 27 attacks, three blocks and aces.

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Petro Gazz assistant coach Stephen Patrona, Wilma Salas, and Brooke Van Sickle after surviving PLDT. #PVL2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/LuyI76t1Wb

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) August 17, 2024

“These [back-to-back] five-set wins speak highly of the attitude of the girls in approaching the game,” Petro Gazz assistant coach Stephen Patrona said in lieu of head coach Koji Tsuzurabara.

“We overcame these five sets and hopefully it will change the character of the team, the attitude in finishing games so winning today, it’s a big deal for us,” he added.

The Cuban also blunted the service game of the High Speed Hitters with 21 excellent receptions while the Filipino-American caught 10 excellent digs.

Aiza Maizo-Pontillas also added 12 points to help lift Petro Gazz to a 4-3 card and climb to the No. 6 spot as of posting in its third consecutive win.

“Going into it, everyone knew how important this game is to us to be able to make it to the next round,” Van Sickle said. “So we knew we had to fight. I just tried to stay calm, just trying to do everything I could if that was hitting or defense.”

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PLDT’s Elena Samoilenko paced her crew with 25 points from 23 kills and a pair of aces but it was not enough to extend the High Speed Hitters’ winning streak.

But it hardly affected the campaign of PLDT which is already assured of a quarterfinals seat at 5-2.

Erika Santos chipped in 18 points, all but one from attacks, while Jules Samonte, Majoy Baron, Kiesha Bedonia and Jessey de Leon added eight points each with the smart playmaking of Kim Fajardo who dished out 16 excellent sets.

Baron blocked Salas to tie the game at 10-all, which she immediately got back with a cross-court attack followed by an ace by Djanel Cheng, who tossed in 10 excellent sets.

Salas pushed the Angels lead to two after an off-the-block kill before Van Sickle sneaked in an attack through the hands of PLDT’s blockers to move closer to match point.

Bedonia refused to give up and punched in back-to-back scores to knot it up at 14-all before Salas and Van Sickle punctuated the marathon match.

PLDT captain and defensive ace Kath Arado was crucial as she stopped the attacks of the Angels with 21 excellent digs.

Petro Gazz can cement its spot for the quarterfinals in an important clash against qualifier Chery Tiggo on Thursday.