MANILA – Petro Gazz Angels regained their form in the fifth set to pull off a 25-17, 25-20, 18-25, 20-25, 15-10 victory over Creamline Cool Smashers in Game 1 of the PVL 2nd All-Filipino Conference Finals on Tuesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Brooke Van Sickle finished with 24 points, built on 21 attacks, two blocks, and a service ace, to be named Player of the Game as the Angels took a 1-0 lead in their best-of-three title series.
“I have no words. I am just so happy that and you know that was extremely stressful,” Van Sickle said after the game. “Creamline did a great job to push us physically and mentally to our limits, that was tough.”
“Creamline is a team that will continue to fight non-stop, they have it all, they have that grit and they are mentally tough as a team,” she added. “Our team captain (Mary Remy Palma) did a great job in calming us down so we were able to win this.”
Negrense Jonah Sabete and MarJana Phillips chipped in 16 markers apiece, while Myla Pablo contributed 12 markers for Petro Gazz, which can clinch its third PVL crown in Game 2 tonight.
After failing to close out the Cool Smashers in the fourth set, the Angels started strong in the fifth frame behind the trio of Van Sickle, Phillips, and Sabete for a 10-4 advantage.
The Cool Smashers tried to rally back as they cut the deficit to 10-13, but a costly attack error by Creamline’s Bernadeth Pons and a block from Ilongga Aiza Maizo-Pontillas secured them the series-opener win for the Angels.
Negrense Pons top-scored with 16 points, Jeanette Panaga added 13 markers, while Bea de Leon and Jessica Galanza contributed 11 and 10 points, respectively, for the Cool Smashers.
Meanwhile, Akari Power Chargers pulled off a stunning comeback from two sets down to beat Choco Mucho Flying Titans, 24-26, 21-25, 25-15, 25-18, 15-11, in Game 1 of the bronze medal series.
Justine Jazareno anchored the Power Chargers’ turnaround with 29 excellent digs and seven excellent receptions, earning Player of the Game honors as they gained a 1-0 edge in their best-of-three series./PN
