MANILA – Brooke Van Sickle came alive when it mattered most as Petro Gazz Angels stunned Chery Tiggo Crossovers, 20-25, 20-25, 25-23, 25-15, 15-7, in the PVL 2nd All-Filipino Conference at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on Tuesday.
The Filipina-American volleybelle finished with 10 points, with seven coming in the deciding fifth set, as the Angels surged to solo first place in the standings with a 6-1 win-loss record.
Van Sickle, who underwent a minor knee surgery during the league break in December, took command in the fifth set by firing back-to-back vicious kills to give the Angels an early lead.
Even when the Crossovers briefly cut the deficit to 6-10, the Angels responded with a relentless hitting spree to complete their come-from-behind win after dropping the first two sets.
Ilongga Aiza Maizo-Pontillas and Myla Pablo led the way for the Angels with 18 points apiece, Nicole Tiamzon contributed 11 markers, while Joy Dacoron and MJ Phillips chipped in seven points apiece.
“Despite trailing, the coaches kept reminding us that we still had chances in the next sets. I just played for the team, knowing my coaches and teammates needed me. We all worked together, and that made a huge difference for me,” Pablo said after the game.
Cza Carandang top-scored for the Crossovers with 13 points, while Pauline Gaston and Jasmine Nabor added 12 and 10 points, respectively, as they fell to a 4-3 win-loss record.
Meanwhile, Cignal HD Spikers overcame the exit of veteran stars Frances Xinia Molina and Marivic Meneses due to contract issue to defeat the Galeries Tower Highrisers, 25-17, 25-20, 25-19.
Vanessa Gandler emerged as a key contributor with 17 points, Roselyn Doria-Aquino, Jacqueline Acuña, and Ishie Lalongisip, each contributed nine points, while Judith Abil added seven points to the team’s total.
Dawn Macandili-Catindig, recently appointed as the new team captain following Molina’s exit, played a crucial role in the team’s defense, recording 19 excellent digs for Cignal, now with a 4-1 record./PN
