MANILA – Petro Gazz Angels swept its way back to the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference throne with a 25-17, 22-25, 25-12, 25-22 win over Cignal HD Spikers in Game 2 of the finals on Tuesday night at the Philsports Area in Pasig City.
Reinforcement Lindsey Vander Weide spearheaded the Angels in the Game 2 victory with 19 points. She was later named as the Best Import and Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP).
Mary Remy Palma also stepped up big with 18 points. Myla Pablo and MarJana Phillips chipped in 17 and 12 markers, respectively, while Djanel Cheng ended with 26 excellent sets for the Angels.
The Angels were technically the back-to-back champions in the PVL’s import-laden tourney as they were also the champions when the Reinforced Conference was last played in 2019.
After dominating the first and third set and losing the second frame, the Angels were pushed to the limit by the HD Spikers, which threatened to within 22-24 after being down by as much as seven points.
Petro Gazz, however, went for the championship in the next possession as Pablo fired a crosscourt hit on the Angels’ second crack on attack to finish off the HD Spikers in two games in the best-of-three title series.
“Sobrang saya, given the sacrifices by the players. Sulit na sulit,” said Angels head coach Rald Ricafort, who also credited the coaching staff for their successful title-retention drive, including Arnold Laniog, who steered the Angels to their first championship here in 2019.
Frances Molina led the way with 14 points, import Tai Bierria chipped in 12 markers, Roselyn Doria added 11 points while Rachel Anne Daquis was held to just six points for the HD Spikers.
Earlier, Creamline turned back Chery Tiggo Crossovers, 25-15, 25-19, 23-25, 25-21, to clinch the third place trophy in a match were Cool Smashers star Alyssa Valdez went down with a knee injury.
Valdez went down early in the third set after the many-time league MVP suffered contusion in her right knee while saving a play near their bench. She never made it back in the match./PN
