Games Saturday
(Cebu)
4 p.m. – Nxled vs Cignal
6:30 p.m. – Capital1 vs Galeries Tower
In an evenly matched showdown marked by intense rallies and gripping finishes in the first two sets, Petro Gazz emerged victorious with a 28-26, 29-27, 25-18 sweep over Akari in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Araneta Coliseum on Thursday.
After narrowly claiming the first two sets, both of which went past the 25-point mark, the Angels capitalized on the Chargers’ waning morale to dominate the third frame. Starting with six unanswered points, the two-time Reinforced Conference champions built an insurmountable lead that paved the way for their second consecutive win and third overall in four matches.
The third-set surge transformed what had been a highly unpredictable match into a decisive victory.
Brooke van Sickle continued to lead the Angels’ offensive onslaught, firing 19 points. But former league MVP Myla Pablo showcased her vintage form once again, following up her 11-point performance against Farm Fresh with an impressive 15-point outing in their one-hour, 36-minute victory.
Her outstanding effort earned her the game’s top honors, marking a triumphant return to the spotlight after a long hiatus.
“Our coaches told us to keep smiling on the court, even if we’re trailing by a wide margin,” said Pablo in Filipino, reflecting on the team’s mindset during the game.
“I’m really grateful for the trust that the coaches and my teammates have given me. It means a lot,” she added. “But this victory wasn’t just about my performance. It was a collective effort. Everyone contributed, and that teamwork made all the difference.”
Van Sickle not only excelled offensively but also flaunted her defensive prowess, tallying 13 excellent digs and five receptions. Aiza Pontillas and Remy Palma chipped in with seven points each, while playmaker Djanel Cheng contributed four markers and orchestrated the offense with nine excellent sets.
The first two sets were a neck-and-neck affair, with leads rarely exceeding two or three points. However, Petro Gazz’s defensive efforts, including crucial back-to-back blocks sealed the first set.
In the second frame, the Angels leaned on their offensive weapons, with Jonah Sabate delivering a powerful kill and Remy Palma scoring on a well-timed running attack to close out the set.
With the win, the Angels now share the third spot in the standings alongside PLDT High Speed Hitters and Chery Tiggo Crossovers, all boasting 3-1 records. They trail the Creamline Cool Smashers and Cignal HD Spikers, both with unbeaten 3-0 slates.
The Chargers, on the other hand, absorbed their third straight loss after back-to-back victories. They are now tied for seventh place with the Choco Mucho Flying Titans, both holding 2-3 records.
Ivy Lacsina led Akari with a game-high 21 points, most of which came in the fiercely contested first two sets that could have swung either way. However, a shaky start in the third set dashed any hopes of a comeback for the Chargers.
Grethcel Soltones added 11 points, while Eli Soyud and Fifi Sharma chipped in with 10 and five points, respectively. Despite outscoring the Angels in spikes (46-44), Akari struggled at the net, where Petro Gazz dominated with nine blocks – seven more than their opponents – highlighting the Angels’ superior frontline defense.
