MANILA – Petro Gazz Angels moved closer to a title repeat in the 2022 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference after a 25-21, 27-25, 37-35 victory over Cignal HD Spikers in Game 1 of the finals on Thursday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Reinforcement Lindsey Vander Weide led the way with 34 points, including 31 attacks for the Angels, which can clinch their franchise’s second PVL championship in Game 2 on Tuesday night.
Ilongga Aiza Maizo-Pontillas and Myla Pablo chipped in 10 markers apiece, while setter Djanel Cheng also made her presence felt with 18 excellent sets to go with two points.
Though the match ended up in three, the first two sets could’ve gone either way, only the Angels flashed their championship poise in the clutch, out-steadying the first-time PVL finalist HD Spikers.
The Angels, however, were pushed to the limit in the third set before they took a slim 33-32 lead via three straight points from Maizo-Pontillas. But the HD Spikers forced deadlock anew at 35-35.
Vander Weide then took over from there with an attack to give Petro Gazz a 36-35 lead followed by her game-clinching hit, which hit the defense of HD Spikers’ Fatima General to end the match.
“Siguro yung lesson lang sa amin ay nabitawan namin ‘yung third set. Mawala ‘yung complacency na kapag naka-dalawang set na kami, may chance na mag-off ng kaunti,” said Petro Gazz coach Rald Ricafort.
Cignal HD import Tai Bierria was held to just 18 points by the defense of Petro Gazz, Frances Xinia Molina wound up with nine points, while Roselyn Doria ended up with eight markers.
In the battle-for-third place series, import-less Creamline Cool Smashers drew first blood with a 25-22, 22-25, 25-5, 25-19 domination over the Chery Tiggo Crossovers.
Diana Carlos top-scored for the Cool Smashers with 19 points, including 18 attacks, while Alyssa Valdez and Jeanette Panaga chipped in 16 and 14 markers, respectively./PN
