Petro Gazz escapes Cherry Tiggo for headstart in bronze race

MANILA, Philippines–Petro Gazz drew first blood in the PVL All-Filipino Conference race for the bronze medal after surviving Chery Tiggo, 22-25, 25-12, 25-18, 27-29, 15-12, on Thursday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Brooke van Sickle anchored the Angels with a new career-high of 36 points highlighted by 31 attacks, four blocks and an ace. The Filipino-American also caught 11 excellent digs and 10 excellent receptions.

“I couldn’t do it without my teammates, right? It’s a six-man sport and I didn’t realize that I had that many points. I kinda think maybe it was a miscount (laughs),” Van Sickle said after another solid performance.

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Jonah Sabete, as usual, backed the Angels star with 21 points, 19 coming from attacks, and 11 excellent digs. Djanel Cheng tossed 22 excellent sets to help Petro Gazz recover from two consecutive losses in the semifinals.

“My setters did a fantastic job, [Djanel Cheng] did a very good job of being able to set us in system, and setting that perfect ball,” Van Sickle said. “I feel like toward the end when it got to crunch time … our passing kinda stabilized and I feel like we’re picking up a lot of balls … good job to my team. Super proud.”

MJ Philips continued to prove that she is a vital part of the Angels after another productive day with 15 points, five coming from the 16 blocks of Petro Gazz, which handed Chery Tiggo a fourth consecutive loss.

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The Crossovers had Eya Laure finishing with 23 points from 21 attacks, a block and an ace but it was not enough despite taking charge in the crucial fourth frame to extend the game to an all-or-nothing fifth set.

Petro Gazz Angels’ Aiza Maizo Pontillas. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Ara Galang put up 11 points, all but one coming from attacks while Jasmine Nabor set up the Crossovers with 19 excellent sets in the losing stand.

“The last two games, they’re tough teams. Losing sucks, you know, no one wants to lose but I feel they’re good opportunities to learn and self reflect, our team did a good job,” Van Sickle added.

Petro Gazz has a much better showing in the decider after losing steam toward the end of the fourth set, 10-6, before the Crossovers gave the Angels another scare and closed in at 13-12.

Phillips utilized a smart push with the ball left in the air by Chery Tiggo setter Joyme Cagande before KC Galdones launched a service which her former University of Santo Tomas teammate Laure misreceived that gave the Angels a lead in the third place.

“Tomorrow’s a new day, we have to stick together and you know, be one family, be one unit as we keep moving on. So I feel like we did a good job bouncing back,” Van Sickle said.