MANILA – Petro Gazz Angels secured the remaining semifinal spot in the PVL 2nd All-Filipino Conference with a 25-21, 25-19, 25-23 sweep over ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles in the do-or-die quarterfinals on Tuesday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
Veteran setter Relea “Chie” Saet shone with 20 excellent sets and five points, to be named Player of the Game for the Angels, who clinched the best-of-three quarterfinals series at 2-1.
“We just stayed composed,” Saet after the game. “As one of the veterans on the team, I continually remind everyone that we need to give our best, especially in a do-or-die situation like this.”
The match was tightly contested in the third set, with the Thunderbelles leading 23-22 following a hit from Chinnie Arroyo. However, an attack error from her tied the score at 23-all.
The Angels seized the opportunity to close out the match with an attack from MarJana Phillips for a 24-23 advantage, before clinching the victory with a solid block from Myla Pablo.
“In the latter part of the third set, we were tentative,” Saet remarked. “So, I reminded my teammates to stay composed and that we needed to secure the first ball to execute our play. We had to refine our serves and blocks.”
Brooke Van Sickle led the Petro Gazz offense with 24 points, including 22 attacks, while Phillips contributed 10 points, nine of which were attacks.
For the Thunderbelles, Arroyo was the standout with 13 points, while Ilongga Glaudine Troncoso and Thea Gagate each added 10 points./PN
