By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Make way for the new champions.
Petro Gazz finally conquered its past demons by dethroning Creamline, 25-21, 25-16, 23-25, 25-19, to capture its first-ever Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference title at the packed Philsports Arena in Pasig City Saturday night, April 12.
Still haunted by their 2023 finals loss to the same opponent after drawing the first blood, the Angels rode on the heroics of Brooke Van Sickle to finally write a different narrative this time.
Van Sickle showed determination and grit particularly in the thrilling fourth frame by draining clutch hits to untangle an 18-all deadlock en route to the 2-1 series win.
They won Game 1, 25-17, 25-20, 18-25, 20-25 15-10, but lost Game 2, 25-15, 16-25, 25-21, 15-25, 15-9.
It was Petro Gazz’s third title overall after reigning supreme twice in the Reinforced Conference.
“Our mindset was just to continue to push. We know how capable Creamline is, but we just kept trying our harded. I can’t believe this happened,” said Van Sickle, who was later adjudged the Conference Most Valuable Player.
Van Sickle powered the Angels with 21 points peppered by 17 kills and two aces, while also posting nine digs.
Jonah Sabete was equally impressive, providing reinforcements in the crunch to finish with 16 points, while MJ Phillips, who was later on awarded the Finals MVP, rose to the challenge and chipped in 15 points.
For a moment, Petro Gazz appeared in control of the match by waxing hot in the opening set, leaning on its rock-solid net defense by posting eight blocks to slow down Creamline’s spikers.
The Angels were even more dominating in the second frame, exposing the Cool Smashers’ weak receptions by managing five aces while almost remaining flawless with their plays by committing with only a single error.
But Creamline wasn’t a three-time All-Filipino champion for nothing.
Displaying championship poise, the Cool Smashers slowly regained their charge with Lorie Bernardo serving as the spark plug, turning a 13-16 deficit to a set win that breathed life in their campaign.
Creamline kept that fire burning entering the fourth, but Van Sickle and Phillips fought back with attacks on all angles that silenced their rivals.
Bernadeth Pons scored 17 points, Jema Galanza had 15 points, and Pangs Panaga scored 11 points in a losing effort for the Cool Smashers.
