MANILA — Petro Gazz Angels unleashed a massive mid-match breakaway to secure the final quarterfinal berth of the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference, overwhelming the Capital1 Solar Spikers, 25-27, 25-13, 25-10, 25-13, yesterday at the Ynares Center in Montalban.
Instead of simply surviving an elimination-race scenario, the Angels overpowered their way in, rebounding from a shaky opening-set loss with a stunning barrage that left Capital1 reeling and solidified Petro Gazz’s rise in the standings with a 4-3 record.
MarJana Phillips spearheaded the Angelic assault with 19 points built on 18 kills, taking Player of the Game honors. She said their turnaround hinged on composure and consistency.
“We just kept talking to each other – communication is a big part – and we focused on taking it one point at a time,” said Phillips.
Petro Gazz’s offensive trio of Lindsey Vander Weide (22 points), Brooke Van Sickle (21), and Phillips combined for 62 points as the Angels’ attack patterns proved too varied for the Solar Spikers to contain.
Ranya Musa added six markers, while Jonah Sabete and setter Jules Tolentino chipped in four and three, respectively.
The convincing win did more than cement Petro Gazz’s quarterfinal entry — it also mathematically eliminated Chery Tiggo and Choco Mucho from contention, finalizing the eight-team knockout cast with two playdates left.
The Angels now sit in a three-way tie with Akari and Cignal for fifth to seventh places and retain the possibility of climbing to No. 5 should they defeat PLDT in their final elimination match next week.
Capital1, already assured of a quarterfinal spot earlier in the day thanks to Chery Tiggo’s loss, slid to 3-4. Mhicaela Belen fired 18 points and import Sasha Bytsenko added 17, but the Solar Spikers failed to keep pace once Petro Gazz’s firepower fully ignited.
Meanwhile, the PLDT High Speed Hitters rode Savannah Davison’s monstrous triple-double — 36 points, 14 receptions, 10 digs — to defeat Chery Tiggo, 26-28, 25-12, 25-16, 25-13./PN
