MANILA – Petro Gazz Angels inched closer to a seat in the PVL 2nd All-Filipino Conference Finals after a 24-26, 25-18, 25-17, 27-25 win over Choco Mucho Flying Titans in the single-round robin semifinals on Tuesday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
Brooke Van Sickle finished with 17 points, built on 16 attacks and one block, to go with 22 excellent receptions and 12 excellent digs to be named Player of the Game as the Angels improved to a 2-0 win-loss slate.
“We just talked to everybody to stay calm and just stay patient because, against a team like this, it is hard to get a point,” Van Sickle said after the game. “Choco Mucho did a fantastic job. They came out with so much energy from the defense and offense.”
MarJana Phillips added 14 markers, including 10 attacks, while Myla Pablo contributed 13 markers, including the game-winning point at the latter part of the fourth set, for the Angels.
Down 16-21 late in the third set, the Angels went on an 8-0 scoring run behind consecutive attack errors by the Flying Titans, a block by Aiza Maizo-Pontillas and back-to-back service aces from Djanel Cheng to take a 23-21 lead.
The Flying Titans, however, kept their hopes of extending the match alive after tying the score at 25-all, but the Angels went for the kill on consecutive points from Maizo-Pontillas and Pablo.
Cherry Rondina finished with 25 points, including 19 attacks, five service aces, and a block, while Maria Lina Molde added 12 markers for the Flying Titans, which slipped to 0-2 mark in the standings.
Meanwhile, defending champions Creamline Cool Smashers kept their finals hopes alive with a 25-18, 25-19, 25-19 sweep over Akari Power Chargers. Both teams now have a 1-1 win-loss slate.
Jeanette Panaga led the team with 13 points, comprising 10 attacks, two service aces, and one block, to be named Player of the Game as the Cool Smashers improved to a 1-1 win-loss slate.
Negrense Bernadeth Pons also made a significant contribution with a triple-double of 17 points, along with 15 excellent receptions and 12 excellent digs, while Diana Carlos added 13 points for Creamline./PN
