Nothing kicks off a record-setting tournament better than a clash between two of the Premier Volleyball League’s marquee teams.
And Petro Gazz and Choco Mucho lived up to the hype, going head-to-head in an electrifying four-set showdown that had the Philsports Arena Saturday crowd on their feet.
After a seesaw battle that kept fans guessing in the first three sets, the Angels finally claimed victory with a dominant performance in the fourth frame, winning 25-20, 26-28, 25-21, 25-16.
Despite Choco Mucho losing steam in the fourth amid the Angels’ relentless offense, the intense back-and-forth action showed the skill and resilience of both teams, setting the stage for a competitive All-Filipino Conference.
After the Flying Titans saved two match points, Petro Gazz rookie AA Adolfo rose to the occasion, converting a precise set from Djanel Cheng into a clutch off-the-block hit that sealed the Angels’ hard-fought two-hour, four-minute victory.
While Adolfo and the Angels’ bench played a pivotal role in the win, it was Brooke Van Sickle who dominated the spotlight as the explosive Fil-American unleashed a stunning 34-point performance, including 28 powerful attacks.
Despite her standout numbers, however, Van Sickle remained humble, saying, “For me, I don’t worry about stats. I just try to give it my 100 percent every time. I make sure I’m there for my teammates.”
Van Sickle also showcased her defensive prowess, tallying 14 excellent digs, with Jellie Tempiatura adding 11 to Petro Gazz’s robust backcourt performance.
Earlier, Akari scored a 28-30, 25-15, 25-16, 25-23 victory over Galeries Tower in an equally intense match.
