MANILA – Petro Gazz Angels survived a tough challenge from Foton Tornadoes for a 25-23, 22-25, 25-22, 25-20 victory in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League Invitational on Thursday night at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Gretchel Soltones led the way with 17 points, on 14 attacks, two service aces, and a block, while Negrense Jonah Sabete contributed 15 points as the Angels improved to 1-1 win-loss slate.
Ilongga Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, fresh from her national women’s volleyball stint, tallied triple-double with 13 points, 13 digs, and 12 excellent receptions, while Mary Remy Palma also got 13 points for Petro Gazz.
With the Angels clinging to a 20-16 lead in the fourth set, the Tornadoes got back-to-back hits from Ilongga Nerissa Bautista to cut the deficit to 18-20 but Maizo-Pontillas and Palma converted consecutive points to give Petro Gazz a 23-19 lead.
Sabete, however, committed a service error as Foton cut the deficit to 20-23 but Soltones and Palma connected back-to-back crosscourt attacks as Petro Gazz sealed their first win of the conference.
“I’m happy na naka-deliver na ng first win yung team namin,” said Angels head coach Oliver Almadro. “We really need it before the league break so kailangan namin makabuwelo going to the next games.”
Ilongga Ma. Shaya Adorador top-scored for the Tornadoes (0-1) with 17 points, Jasmine Nabor contributed double-double 10 points and 12 excellent sets and Bautista also ended with 10 markers.
Meanwhile, Cherry Rondina was solid in her indoor volleyball return as Choco Mucho Flying Titans kicked off the conference with a 25-14, 25-7, 25-16 sweep over Farm Fresh Foxies (0-2).
Rondina, a former University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses star, tallied 14 points, on 13 attacks and one block, to go with five excellent receptions, while Caitlin Viray chipped in 13 markers for the Flying Titans.
“It wasn’t difficult at all for me to join (Choco Mucho). My mindset is just to work hard,” said Rondina, who played her first indoor volleyball game in four years after she turned her focus to beach volleyball./PN
