PetroGazz recovers, clips PacificTown-Army

FILE PHOTO – PetroGazz celebrates a point.

MANILA, Philippines—PetroGazz recovered just in time to turn back PacificTown-Army, 25-15, 20-25, 14-25, 25-13, 15-7, Saturday and gain at least a semifinal playoff berth in the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference at University of San Agustin in Iloilo City.

Cherry Nunag scored five of her points, while Kai Baloaloa exploded with three consecutive aces in a fifth-set binge for the Angels who extended their winning streak to eight.

At 9-2, PetroGazz strengthened its second-place status in the standings behind unbeaten Creamline and kept distance from tied third placers Motolite and BanKo Perlas which are both at 7-5.

Jovelyn Gonzaga, momentarily left behind her national team duties to play for the Lady Troopers but her efforts weren’t enough to keep the from losing their sixth in 12 matches.

PetroGazz’s Jovielyn Prado blamed the heat inside the jam packed venue for their collapse in the second and third frames.

“But our coach (Jasper Jimenez) told us to forget it because Army is also experiencing it,” said Prado.