ILOILO City – Aiza Maizo-Pontillas had a triumphant homecoming as Petro Gazz Angels swept Chery Tiggo Crossovers, 25-21, 28-26, 25-21, in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference last night at the University of San Agustin Gym here.
The Passi City, Iloilo native finished with 13 points, all from the attack line, as the Angels solidified its semifinals berth with its 6-2 win-loss record while at the same time eliminating the Crossovers from Final Four contention.
Grethcel Soltones led the Angels with 14 points, on 10 attacks, three service aces, and a block to go along with nine excellent digs. Mary Remy Palma and MarJana Phillips added 12 and 10 points, respectively.
“It’s really hard going out of town and then with an important match,” said Angels head coach Oliver Almadro. “Both teams really need win this win. But we’re happy to be able to come out the winner.”
Trailing by two, 12-14, in the first set, the Angels went on a 6-0 blast to take an 18-14 lead before Palma and Soltones took over by connecting crucial attacks to take a 1-0 set advantage.
In the second set, the Angels raced to a 24-17 advantage but the Crossovers clawed its way back to force a deadlock at 24-all but Maizo-Pontillas and Negrense Jonah Sabete came to the rescue for Petro Gazz with back-to-back hits.
The Angels led by as much as seven points in the fourth, 21-14, before the Crossovers mounted another run to cut the deficit to 20-22 but Maizo-Pontillas and Phillips converted two straight hits for Petro Gazz to close the match.
Czarina Carandang and Paat spearheaded Chery Tiggo with 16 and 15 points, respectively, while Ennajie Laure and Jaycel delos Reyes had eight and seven as the Crossovers dropped to 4-4 card.
Meanwhile, defending champions and semifinals-bound Creamline Cool Smashers continued its fine play with a 25-17, 25-22, 27-29, 25-8 victory over the also-ran Akari Power Chargers.
The Cool Smashers tightened its hold on the top spot of the standings with a 7-1 win-loss slate, while the Power Chargers dropped to eighth place with a 2-6 record to end their campaign./PN
