PVL: Petro Gazz ousts ZUS Coffee to complete semifinals cast
Petro Gazz Angels react after a point in Game 3 of the PVL All-Filipino Conference quarterfinals against ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Petro Gazz stayed calm throughout and effectively tore down feisty ZUS Coffee, 25-21, 25-19, 25-23, to secure the last semifinal spot in the PVL All Filipino Conference on Tuesday.
Brooke Van Sickle dismantled the unyielding defensive wall of the enemy by smacking the Thunderbelles with 24 hits as the Angels completed their resurgence following a harrowing defeat in the opener of their quarterfinal series.
“It’s hard playing them (Thunderbelles), but our hunger to be in the semifinals definitely transitioned today. We came out with more energy and challenged ourselves,’’ said Van Sickle.
HIGHLIGHTS: PVL All-Filipino quarterfinals – ZUS Coffee vs Petro Gazz Game 3
Chie Saet kept the Angels steady in the face of adversity, particularly in the final set when the Thunderbelles mounted a fightback.
“We tried to rush things during the latter part of the set, so I told them to just be composed and stay calm,’’ said Saet after tossing 20 excellent sets and delivering five points in wrapping up the deciding Game 3.
Petro Gazz Angels’ Brooke Van Sickle during Game 3 of the PVL All-Filipino quarterfinals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
The No. 2-ranked Angels won 10 straight games back in the elimination phase before the Thunderbelles sent them back to earth with a stunning Game 1 victory in the quarters.
By surviving ZUS in another straight-sets triumph for the second straight outing, the Angels have joined Choco Mucho, Akari and top-seeded Creamline in a single-round semifinals beginning Saturday.
Back-to-back hits by MJ Phillips down the middle created the buffer the Angels needed as they wasted no time seizing that opportunity to control the opening set.
READ: PVL: Petro Gazz grants Brooke Van Sickle’s bday wish with Game 2 win
Van Sickle caught fire with a crosscourt smash and a drop shot, widening the Petro Gazz 20-14 lead. Gagate cut it down with a quick push, a kill block and Chinnie Arroyo’s long cross to the back row, but the Angels were patient enough to make it through the rally.
Jonah Sabete returned a Chay Troncoso attack followed by a pair of ZUS errors before Aiza Maizo-Pontillas secured the set for the Angels with a corner flush.
The Thunderbelles were again slow on the draw in Set 2, allowing the Angels to impose their will before securing a taste of the lead for the first time on a Troncoso block and Gonzaga’s assault on the side of the net.
Seeing that ZUS gained the upperhand, Van Sickle quickly responded with a pair attacks that sandwiched a powerful push by Phillips, handing the Angels back the advantage.
Chie Saet’s crafty lob to an empty spot and a sneaky toss for another Van Sickle kill in the next sequence settled the Angels on a 21-14 cushion.
Petro Gazz didn’t let go as Van Sickle scored four more attacks capped by a soft volley that dropped just above the arms of Gagate at set point.
At risk of ending their conference, the Thunderbelles then turned on the survival switch and erased a four-point Petro Gazz advantage in Set 3 with consecutive spikes courtesy of Chinnie Arroyo and Troncoso.
Joan Narit’s deflection on a Phillips’ smash forced the last deadlock at 23, but Arroyo saw her next hit soar beyond the end line and Myla Pablo’s monster block on Gagate at match point sealed the Angels’ fate.
The semifinals begin on Saturday with the Flying Titans and the Chargers taking the Ynares Center Antipolo floor first before the Cool Smashers meet the Angels.
