MANILA – Petro Gazz Angels squandered a two-set advantage before pulling off a 25-23, 25-19, 20-25, 23-25, 15-12 win against Creamline Cool Smashers in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference on Tuesday night at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
Wilma Salas unloaded a conference-best 34 points, built on 33 attacks and a block, to go with 17 excellent digs as the defending champions Angels stayed in quarterfinals contention with their 3-3 win-loss slate.
Brooke Van Sickle registered 24 points and 18 excellent receptions, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas contributed eight markers, while Mary Remy Palma and Ethan Arce each had five markers for the Angels.
After failing to close out the Cool Smashers in the third and fourth sets, the Angels struggled early in the fifth set before surging to a slim 10-8 lead on back-to-back hits from Brooke Van Sickle and Chie Saet.
The Angels then rode on consecutive attacks by Salas for a 14-11 advantage. The Cool Smashers managed to save a match point at 12-14 before Salas sealed the win with another off-the-block attack.
“I’m so happy that we won this game, a difficult game because Creamline is a very good team. Every time I say if you’re training good, you do good play. I think this is the point every day with the coaches and the girls for motivation to move up,” said Salas.
Erica Staunton tallied 30 points on 27 attacks, two aces, and one block, Bernadeth Pons added 17 markers, 19 excellent digs, and 26 excellent receptions, while Michele Gumabao chipped in 13 points as the Cool Smashers dropped to 4-2.
Meanwhile, PLDT High Speed Hitters secured their place in the quarterfinals after a 25-18, 25-14, 25-12 victory over the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles, which is now out of contention with their 0-6 record.
Elena Samoilenko led the charge with 14 points, while Mary Joy Baron stepped up to fire 13 markers, highlighted by four kill blocks, as the High Speed Hitters moved on to the next round with a 5-1 win-loss slate.
Mika Reyes contributed nine points, while Kiesha Bedonia chipped in with seven markers, with six additional players combining for 16 points to bolster the High Speed Hitters’ offense./PN
