MANILA – Petro Gazz Angels overcame a slow start to defeat Creamline Cool Smashers, 15-25, 25-18, 24-26, 25-19, 15-13, in the PVL 1st All-Filipino Conference on Saturday night at the Sta. Rosa Multi-Purpose Complex in Laguna.
Brooke Van Sickle finished with a career-high of 29 points, built on 23 attacks, four blocks, and two service aces, as the Angels tied the defending champion Cool Smashers with a 6-2 win-loss slate.
Negrense Jonah Sabete chipped in 21 markers, while Ilongga Aiza Maizo-Pontillas and Mary Remy Palma ended up 14 and 12 markers, respectively, for the Angels.
“It’s just surreal. Creamline is an amazing team,” Van Sickle said in a post-game interview. “It was such a hard battle. I cannot believe what we have pulled off. I am extremely proud of my team.”
Riding on the momentum of their huge fourth-set win, the Angels were firing to start the fifth set as they jumped to an 8-3 lead behind attacks by Van Sickle, Sabete, and Joy Dacoron.
The Angels went on to establish a 10-5 advantage, but a spirited fight back by the Cool Smashers cut the deficit to 11-12 on a connection by Jessica Galanza and a service error by Palma.
Van Sickle unloaded back-to-back hits to push the Angels to match point, but the Cool Smashers answered with connections from Diana Carlos and Alyssa Valdez to cut it to 13-14 before Maizo-Pontillas closed the match for Petro Gazz with a powerful hit.
Carlos top-scored for the Cool Smashers with 15 points, Bea de Leon contributed 13 markers, Valdez and Galanza added 11 markers apiece, while Michele Gumabao ended with 10 points.
Meanwhile, Choco Mucho Flying Titans surged to solo first place in the standings with a 7-1 win-loss slate after a 25-15, 25-16, 25-21 straight set victory over Capital1 Solar Energy Solar Spikers.
Cherry Ann Rondina once again led the way for the Flying Titans with 13 points, eight excellent receptions, and five excellent digs. Isa Molde added nine markers, while Madeleine Madayag and Cherry Nunag ended with eight points each./PN
