PVL: Petro Gazz gets back at ZUS Coffee, forces decider
Petro Gazz Angels celebrate during their Game 2 victory over ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
ANTIPOLO CITY—Petro Gazz refused to simply fall out of the sky and blasted ZUS Coffee, 25-19, 25-13, 28-26, on Saturday to push their quarterfinal encounter to the limit in the PVL All Filipino Conference.
Brooke Van Sickle torched the Thunderbelles with a variety of hits and finished with 17 points built around 15 attacks as the Angels survived the make-or-break affair that could send them packing out of the conference.
“We came out energized and did a really good job. Yeah, it’s going to be a battle next game,” said Van Sickle, who also delivered eight digs and the decisive smash that put the Angels at matchpoint.
READ: PVL: Myla Pablo says Petro Gazz lacked aggressiveness in loss
Petro Gazz coach Koji Tsuzurabara, Jonah Sabete, and birthday girl Brooke Van Sickle after forcing a do-or-die Game 3 against ZUS Coffee. #PVL2025 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/mLLdnch3UR
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) March 22, 2025
MJ Phillips and Myla Pablo likewise caught fire, tallying 11 points each together with Jonah Sabete for the Angels, who forced the decider on Tuesday after ZUS seized the opener of the best-of-three series.
Relea Saet fluidly orchestrated the Petro Gazz offense with 18 excellent sets.
Van Sickle’s crosscourt smash sealed the opening set for the Angels, who got even better in the succeeding frame with Pablo and Philipps doing heavy damage on the Thunderbelles.
Philipps drove in a kill down the middle and Aiza Maizo-Pontillas blocked a ZUS attack before Chai Troncoso’s service error accelerated the Thunderbelles’ downfall in the second set.
“ZUS is a tough team. They are one of the better defensive teams in the PVL right now, and to be able to bounce back from there is huge,” said Van Sickle.
This time, the Angels were far superior on protecting their side of the floor at the Ynares Center Antipolo.
READ: PVL quarterfinals: ZUS Coffee stuns Petro Gazz in Game 1
Only Chinnie Arroyo got into double digits for the Thunderbelles with 10 points while Chay Troncoso and top rookie pick Thea Gagate managed to score eight points each.
“We obviously lacked in defense in that game (Game 1). We had a day to prepare prior to this one and polish our game plan defensively,” said Sabete.
Down by three points, the Thunderbelles seemed headed to turning things around in the third set with Arroyo and Gagate conspiring that put them within a point.
Van Sickle’s crosscourt projectile pushed the Angels at matchpoint but Antonette Adolfo misfired her serve, allowing ZUS to knot the count at 25.
But Van Sickle didn’t give up, hammering another smash for the advantage before a ZUS miscue at the net pegged the final count.
