MANILA – Petro Gazz Angels hacked out a 25-22, 24-26, 25-23, 26-24 stunner over Creamline Cool Smashers in Game 1 of the 2023 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference finals on Sunday night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Negrense Jonah Sabete bucked her cramps to finish with triple-double 18 points, 15 excellent receptions and 10 excellent digs as the Angels took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three finals series.
Ilongga veteran Aiza Maizo-Pontillas added 15 markers while Grethcel Soltones and MJ Phillips chipped in 14 points apiece for the Angels, which finally scored a victory against the mighty Creamline after four years.
The Cool Smashers have a chance to secure their first-ever All-Filipino Conference title and second consecutive PVL crown after ruling the Reinforced Conference last year in Game 2 on Tuesday night.
“Tapos na ‘yung isang game pero di pa tapos ang series, which is the most difficult thing to do,” said Petro Gazz head coach Oliver Almadro. “We’re not thinking about the ‘one win away’ thing. We just have to do our job, we just have to prepare.”
“We also have to manage ourselves not to be overwhelmed (by this victory). We have to be consistent. But I’m happy with what my players did. They were composed, they showed character at the endgame and they really helped and trusted each other,” he added.
Leading by just one in the first set at 23-22, the Angels managed to fend off the Cool Smashers after Celine Domingo committed an attack error which was then followed up by an off the block hit by Sabete that put Petro Gazz ahead, 1-0.
The Angels once again found themselves ahead late in the second set at 23-22 but the Cool Smashers snatched the set behind a crosscourt hit by Jessica Galanza and a block by Michele Gumabao.
In the third set, the Angels overcame a slow start before racing to a 23-21 advantage before the Cool Smashers had a 3-1 scoring run behind Galanza and Gumabao but an error by teammate Diana Carlos handed the set to Petro Gazz.
It was another close call in the fourth set with the score tied at 24-all before Phillips put the Angels at match point on a quick hit and sealing the Game 1 win on a net touch by Cool Smashers setter Julia Morado-de Guzman.
Galanza and Gumabao each fired 18 points while Carlos ended up with 17 markers and Domingo finished with 14 for the Cool Smashers, who also drew a combined 10-point game from Jeanette Panaga and de Guzman./PN
