MANILA – PetroGazz Angels pulled off a stunning 25-22, 26-24, 25-22 sweep over defending champions Creamline Cool Smashers in the Premier Volleyball League Season 3 Reinforced Conference on Sunday night at San Juan Arena.
Cuban import Wilma Salas bucked jet lag to score 20 points, on 18 attacks and two blocks, while Janisa Johnson added 16 markers for the Angels, which notched the opening day win despite committing 33 errors.
The Angels weathered the late rally of the Cool Smashers in the third set, which chopped its four-point deficit to 23-22. Jeanette Panaga and Johnson then scored back-to-back to complete the straight set win.
Also helping Angels’ straight-set victory was Cool Smashers star Alyssa Valdez sustaining an injury in the second set an injury after slipping while trying to chase the ball off a block.
“Luckily the result favored our team,” said Angels head coach Arnold Laniog. “Pero ayaw nating may masaktan na players like what happened kay Alyssa kanina, di natin in-expect and sana ‘wag na maulit.”
Venezuelan import Ale Blanco and Thai reinforcement Kuttika Kaewpin scored nine and eight points, respectively, while Valdez and Heather Guino-o finished with five each for the Cool Smashers.
In the first game, PacificTown Army Lady Troopers recovered from a third set meltdown and a scare in the fourth to turn back BaliPure Water Defenders, 25-20, 25-16, 24-26, 25-23.
American import Jenelle Jordan and Lena Lymareva-Flink led the Lady Troopers with 15 points each, while Guimarasnon Jovelyn Gonzaga added eight markers in her volleyball return from a knee injury in 2017./PN
