By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Petro Gazz made sure to write a different narrative this time after taking down a heavyweight in Creamline, 25-23, 25-22, 21-25, 25-16, to inch closer to the finals in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City Saturday night, March 29.
The Angels asserted their might against the multi-titled defending champions by dominating almost all facets of the game to gain the crucial first victory in this round-robin semifinal phase after a tough two-hour and 10-minute action.
Brooke Van Sickle paced Petro Gazz’s offensive onslaught, exploding for 22 kills to finish with 26 points, while Jonah Sabete took charge of their defense by posting five blocks to chip in 19 points.
Petro Gazz coach Koji Tsuzurabara admitted they were underdogs going to the match, but reminded his stalwarts to work on every point they could get.
“Before, we lost to Creamline. (Today), we’re the challengers,” said Tsuzurabara, referring to their straight-set loss in their first meeting in the preliminaries last November.
Compared from their first encounter to this match, it seemed that the Angels unleashed a different beast this time.
They overpowered Creamline at that attack line with 59 kills compared to the Cool Smashers’ 53, while also providing a solid defense at the net with 13 blocks compared to their rivals’ only three.
Sabete said the composure they showed was the big difference.
“Kailangan may magre-remind sa bawat isa after point na we need to counter them. Kahit papaano, nagawa din nang maayos,” she said,
The Angels hope to keep that momentum going when they next face the Choco Mucho Flying Titans on Tuesday, April 1, a team that was seeking for a huge bounce back following a tough five-set defeat over the Akari Chargers.
