MANILA – Petro Gazz Angels drew strength from its revamped roster to defeat BaliPure Purest Water Defenders, 25-14, 25-20, 23-25, 25-21, in the 2022 Premier Volleyball League Open Conference yesterday at the Paco Arena here.
Gretchel Soltones, MarJana Philips and Mary Remy Palma spearheaded the offense with 12 markers apiece as the Angels seized a 1-0 standings in Group B.
Ilongga Aiza Maizo-Pontillas also made a good impression in her Petro Gazz debut with 10 markers. Another newcomer in Nicole Tiamzon and Myla Pablo combined for 15 markers.
The Angels actually had to overcome wobbly starts in the first two sets and fell short of their comeback bid in the third frame, enabling the Water Defenders to extend the match.
But the Angels came out with guns ablaze in the fourth frame to wrest early control of the set at 20-14 on three consecutive attack points by Soltones.
The Purest Water Defenders made its last stand via consecutive errors from Angels players as they trimmed the deficit to 21-24.
Maizo-Pontillas then came through with a power blast that hit Bali Pure’s Rapril Aguilar’s arm and bounced off the court to clinch the victory for Petro Gazz.
“We’re trying to utilize our new players and give our first team more playing time. We want to maximize our lineup since we only have three games in the first round (three),” said Angels head coach Jerry Yee.
Janine Marciano tallied 19 points, Negrense Geneveve Casugod chipped in 11 hits and Aguilar and Bernadette Flora combined for 10 points for Water Defenders.
Action resumes today with F2 Logistics Cargo Movers (1-0) aiming for its second win against defending champions Chery Tiggo Crossovers (0-2) at 6 p.m.
Choco Mucho Flying Titans, meanwhile, is set to make its 2022 PVL Open Conference debut at three in the afternoon as they face Black Mamba-Army Lady Troopers (0-1)./PN
