SPORTS
Advocates Philippines
Petro Gazz Books Semis Spot With Poise, Power, And A Perfect Finish
Photo credit: PVL
The Petro Gazz Angels weren’t about to let history repeat itself. After suffering a stunning sweep in Game 1, they knew they had to step up—and they did just that, securing back-to-back wins to claim the last semifinal spot in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference.
On Tuesday night at the Philsports Arena, the Angels took care of business, outlasting the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles in straight sets, 25-21, 25-19, 25-23, to complete their comeback in the best-of-three quarterfinals.
Experience Over Exuberance
ZUS Coffee, a team brimming with young talent, showed flashes of brilliance, even making a late push in the third set. But when it came down to the clutch moments, Petro Gazz’s experience and composure made all the difference.
Leading the charge was Brooke Van Sickle, who erupted for 24 points, delivering a variety of attacks that kept the Thunderbelles’ defense scrambling. Meanwhile, MJ Phillips controlled the middle, while Jonah Sabete and Myla Pablo provided timely contributions on both ends of the court.
But the real game-changer? Chie Saet. The veteran setter orchestrated the offense masterfully, dishing out 20 excellent sets and even scoring five points herself.
“We stayed composed and relaxed in the latter part of the third set,” Saet shared. “Nagmamadali kasi, so I reminded them to stay calm and focus on our first ball.”
Crunch-Time Battle
The Thunderbelles refused to go down without a fight. After trailing 7-12 in the third set, they rallied to turn the endgame into a nerve-wracking showdown. Chinnie Arroyo, Thea Gagate, and Chai Troncoso pushed ZUS Coffee back into contention, forcing Petro Gazz to dig deep.
Down 21-22, the Angels got a lucky break when Arroyo’s attack sailed out, leveling the score. Then, a clutch defensive play denied another ZUS Coffee attempt, leading to a Phillips quick attack that gave Petro Gazz the upper hand.
The Thunderbelles weren’t done yet, though. Joan Narit stuffed Phillips at the net, forcing another deadlock. But when the pressure peaked, Petro Gazz stood tall. A ZUS Coffee challenge on an Arroyo error failed, handing the Angels match point. Then, on the final play, Pablo and Phillips combined for a picture-perfect block on Gagate, sealing the win and punching their ticket to the semis.
The Road Ahead: A Familiar Foe
With the win, Petro Gazz moves on to the Final Four, where they’ll face their long-time rivals, the Creamline Cool Smashers, in a single round-robin semifinal phase. Every game is a must-win, and the Angels will need to bring their A-game to keep their championship dreams alive.
Meanwhile, Choco Mucho and Akari will open the semis action at 4 p.m. on Saturday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, followed by the much-anticipated Petro Gazz vs. Creamline showdown at 6:30 p.m.
As for ZUS Coffee, their season ends here, but not without a fight. Despite falling short, the Thunderbelles proved they have the talent and potential to compete with the league’s best. With more experience and refinement, they’ll be back stronger next season.
For now, though, it’s Petro Gazz’s moment. They weathered the storm, stood their ground, and now, they’re one step closer to their All-Filipino Conference breakthrough.
On Tuesday night at the Philsports Arena, the Angels took care of business, outlasting the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles in straight sets, 25-21, 25-19, 25-23, to complete their comeback in the best-of-three quarterfinals.
Experience Over Exuberance
ZUS Coffee, a team brimming with young talent, showed flashes of brilliance, even making a late push in the third set. But when it came down to the clutch moments, Petro Gazz’s experience and composure made all the difference.
Leading the charge was Brooke Van Sickle, who erupted for 24 points, delivering a variety of attacks that kept the Thunderbelles’ defense scrambling. Meanwhile, MJ Phillips controlled the middle, while Jonah Sabete and Myla Pablo provided timely contributions on both ends of the court.
But the real game-changer? Chie Saet. The veteran setter orchestrated the offense masterfully, dishing out 20 excellent sets and even scoring five points herself.
“We stayed composed and relaxed in the latter part of the third set,” Saet shared. “Nagmamadali kasi, so I reminded them to stay calm and focus on our first ball.”
Crunch-Time Battle
The Thunderbelles refused to go down without a fight. After trailing 7-12 in the third set, they rallied to turn the endgame into a nerve-wracking showdown. Chinnie Arroyo, Thea Gagate, and Chai Troncoso pushed ZUS Coffee back into contention, forcing Petro Gazz to dig deep.
Down 21-22, the Angels got a lucky break when Arroyo’s attack sailed out, leveling the score. Then, a clutch defensive play denied another ZUS Coffee attempt, leading to a Phillips quick attack that gave Petro Gazz the upper hand.
The Thunderbelles weren’t done yet, though. Joan Narit stuffed Phillips at the net, forcing another deadlock. But when the pressure peaked, Petro Gazz stood tall. A ZUS Coffee challenge on an Arroyo error failed, handing the Angels match point. Then, on the final play, Pablo and Phillips combined for a picture-perfect block on Gagate, sealing the win and punching their ticket to the semis.
The Road Ahead: A Familiar Foe
With the win, Petro Gazz moves on to the Final Four, where they’ll face their long-time rivals, the Creamline Cool Smashers, in a single round-robin semifinal phase. Every game is a must-win, and the Angels will need to bring their A-game to keep their championship dreams alive.
Meanwhile, Choco Mucho and Akari will open the semis action at 4 p.m. on Saturday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, followed by the much-anticipated Petro Gazz vs. Creamline showdown at 6:30 p.m.
As for ZUS Coffee, their season ends here, but not without a fight. Despite falling short, the Thunderbelles proved they have the talent and potential to compete with the league’s best. With more experience and refinement, they’ll be back stronger next season.
For now, though, it’s Petro Gazz’s moment. They weathered the storm, stood their ground, and now, they’re one step closer to their All-Filipino Conference breakthrough.
Mar 26, 2025
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