HIGHLIGHTS: PVL All-Filipino Finals Game 1 – Creamline vs Petro Gazz

LIVE UPDATES 2025 PVL All-Filipino Conference Finals Game 1, April 8 - Creamline Cool Smashers vs Petro Gazz Angels.

PVL: Fueled by redemption, MJ Phillips delivers at the perfect time

Petro Gazz Angels' MJ Phillips during Game 1 of the PVL All-Filipino Conference Finals against Creamline Cool Smashers.

Petro Gazz Angels’ MJ Phillips during Game 1 of the PVL All-Filipino Conference Finals against Creamline Cool Smashers. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines —After Creamline came storming back to force a decider,  MJ Phillips came to the rescue for Petro Gazz in Game 1 of the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.

With the Angels blowing a 2-0 lead, Phillips gave her team a timely boost scoring six straight points to keep the Cool Smashers at bay in the fifth set and pushing them closer to the coveted title.

“I just kept looking [my teammates] in the eye, and I was like, ‘You guys got me, I got you,’ the whole entire time. It’s 15 points, but I took every point like it was my last. My team has my back, and that’s why I was able to do what I had to do on the court,” said Phillips, who finished with 16 points including three blocks.

PVL: Jema Galanza, Creamline stay positive despite Game 1 loss

Creamline Cool Smashers in Game 1 of the PVL All-Filipino Conference Finals against Petro Gazz Angels. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Jema Galanza rued how Creamline fell just short of a comeback in Game 1 of the PVL All-Filipino Conference Finals, but remained optimistic of her team’s chance.

Galanza, who played sparingly in the semifinals due to a minor thumb injury, helped Creamline from a two-set deficit to force a decider that went for naught for the defending champions as Petro Gazz moved closer to the title.

“Sayang (too bad). We really fought hard in the third and fourth sets but just couldn’t finish it in the fifth,” said Galanza, who had 10 points in the 17-25, 20-25, 25-18, 25-20, 10-15 loss.

PVL: Brooke Van Sickle embraces the noise, delivers in Finals debut

Brooke Van Sickle in Game 1 of the in the PVL All-Filipino Conference Finals between Creamline Cool Smashers and Petro Gazz Angels. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Brooke Van Sickle made her PVL Finals debut in style, leading Petro Gazz a win closer to the 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference title.

Amid the pressure-packed environment of a championship round, Van Sickle rose to the occasion with 24 points and 14 digs to lead Petro Gazz past the defending champion Creamline in Game 1, 25-17, 25-20, 18-25, 20-25, 15-10, on Tuesday night at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“It’s exactly what I expected it to be. I know Creamline has a big fan base, so it was very loud. It was very hard to think at some points, which was nice because it drowned out all the thoughts. Five-setters can go either way at that point. You just don’t know who’s going to win or lose,” said Van Sickle, who fired 21 kills, two blocks, and an ace.

IN PHOTOS: Creamline vs Petro Gazz Finals Game 1

PVL: Petro Gazz holds off Creamline to draw first blood in Finals

Petro Gazz Angels celebrate a point against Creamline Cool Smashers in the PVL All-Filipino Conference Finals Game 1. -MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Petro Gazz is on a frantic quest to finally tear down Creamline’s unbroken reign in the PVL All Filipino Conference.

The Angels came halfway through accomplishing that mission with a tactical 25-17, 25-20, 18-25, 20-25, 15-10, demolition of the Cool Smashers in Game 1 of their championship showdown on Tuesday night.

“Creamline is not the team that will just roll over and give up, so they definitely kept on fighting,’’ said Brooke Van Sickle after hammering the Cool Smashers with 24 points, 21 of them attacks, plus 14 digs and an ace.

PVL scores: Creamline vs Petro Gazz Finals Game 1

SET 5

SET 4

SET 3

SET 2

SET 1

PVL: ‘No room for frustration’ for Ivy Lacsina, Akari Chargers

Akari Chargers’ Ivy Lacsina in the PVL All-Filipino Conference battle for third against Choco Mucho Flying Titans. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — After averaging just eight points in the semifinals, Ivy Lacsina broke out of her scoring slump to lead Akari a win closer to a bronze medal finish in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.

Lacsina, who struggled in three semifinals games, regained her lethal attacking form with 20 points to lead Akari’s reverse sweep of Choco Mucho, 24-26, 21-25, 25-15, 25-18, 15-11, on Tuesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

PVL: Akari pulls off reverse sweep vs Choco Mucho, nears bronze

Akari Chargers celebrate a point against Choco Mucho Flying Titans in the PVL All-Filipino Conference bronze medal match. -MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Akari switched to chase mode after falling into a deep hole and turned back Choco Mucho, 24-26, 21-25, 25-15, 25-18, 15-11, on Tuesday night to gain advantage in its quest to reach the podium of the PVL All Filipino Conference.

Ivy Lacsina illuminated her team’s comeback trail, leading the Chargers’ resurgence in the last three sets in completing the amazing turnaround.

“We didn’t really get frustrated after we’re down by two sets. There’s no room for frustration today because my mindset is focused on winning this game,’’ said Lacsina after delivering 18 attacks out of 20 points apart from nine excellent digs.

IN PHOTOS: Akari vs Choco Mucho Game 1 Battle for Third

PVL scores: Akari vs Choco Mucho (battle for bronze – Game 1)

PVL Finals Preview: Creamline vs Petro Gazz, Chapter V

MANILA, Philippines — For the fifth time in PVL history, Creamline and Petro Gazz collide in what is expected to be another classic best-of-three finals series for the 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference supremacy.

The two teams have forged most finals duels between two volleyball clubs with Creamline moving a series closer to its ‘drive for five’ with its seventh consecutive finals appearance and Petro Gazz looking at another shot at what has been an elusive All-Filipino title.

The Cool Smashers are gunning for their 11th title and fifth consecutive All-Filipino — probably the sweetest and most challenging one after a six-month tournament. But standing in their way are the Angels, who are playing their best season together yet and have the strongest lineup to challenge the reigning dynasty.

Creamline’s Valdez hopes to write ‘worthwhile story’ vs Petro Gazz

Creamline Cool Smashers celebrate a point during the PVL All-Filipino Conference semifinals against Choco Mucho Flying Titans. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Alyssa Valdez has been part of Creamline’s dominant history in the PVL.

The Cool Smashers are approaching their 14th championship appearance, and you’d think Valdez would be impervious to Finals pressure by this time.

Think again.

“I feel differently every Finals game,” Valdez told reporters who tailed her late on Thursday evening after Creamline forged a title showdown against the Petro Gazz Angels. “But the jitters, it’s the same. There’s extra nervousness, and I need an extra effort to contain my emotions during Finals.

“That’s one of the things I cannot forget [or] change every [time I play in a] Finals series,” she added.

Van Sickle will be key in Angels’ quest to unseat longtime PVL queens

Brooke Van Sickle is getting ready and excited, and Creamline knows that.

With a few days to cool their heels and map out battle plans, Van Sickle and Petro Gazz embark on a mission starting Tuesday next week to unseat the PVL queens in the Cool Smashers, who know exactly whom to stop to deny the Angels once again in the All-Filipino Conference Finals.

“They’re always in the finals, so I’m gearing up,” Van Sickle, the reigning MVP, had said after making the title series first and asked of their potential foes. “I already kind of been mentally preparing for the rematch, and I know for a fact if we do end up rematching them, they’re going to come out at 120 percent, so we’ve got to be ready.”

PVL: Chemistry is Creamline’s edge vs veteran Petro Gazz, says coach

Creamline Cool Smashers coach Sherwin Meneses during the PVL All-Filipino Conference semifinals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Creamline and Petro Gazz may have split their matches in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference but coach Sherwin Meneses believes that his Cool Smashers have the edge with their team chemistry and championship experience.

For the fifth time in the PVL, the Cool Smashers and Angels fight for the championship in a best-of-three finals series starting on Tuesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

In their recent head-to-head, Creamline opened its season with a masterful win over Petro Gazz last year but in the more important duel, the Angels kicked off their semifinals campaign with a four-set win over the defending champions and eventually swept their way to advance to the finals.

PVL All-Filipino Finals Schedule – Creamline vs Petro Gazz Game 1

April 8, Tuesday – Smart Araneta Coliseum

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