Petro Gazz drubs BanKo to stay in semis hunt

Following a disappointing loss yesterday, the Petro Gazz Angels stayed alive in the tight race for a seat in the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference playoffs, stopping the BanKo Perlas Spikers’ three-game winning streak, 25-11, 25-23, 25-18, at the FilOil Flying V Centre.

The Angels took advantage of a wasteful BanKo side. Petro Gazz had a major leg up in errors, giving up just 13 while the Perlas Spikers coughed up 32. Petro Gazz also pounced on BanKo’s reception, tallying seven aces while BanKo had none.

Petro Gazz (6-5) have momentary hold of fourth place, ahead of Pocari Sweat (5-6) and Tacloban (5-7).

Petro Gazz head coach Jerry Yee lauded his team’s resilience coming off two losses.

“Sobrang gustong manalo, ‘yun ang conclusion namin. Finally, kumbaga,” Yee said.

“Nag-usap kami siyempre, mahabang usapan yan – sobrang gustong manalo. ‘Pagka ganyang crucial na sobrang gigil, simple ang mistakes and eventually nag-slip away. So kanina tinatry nating i-workout o baka pagod din ang Perlas ngayon so good for us. Kailangan namin ang mga wins na ganito,” he added.

Middle blocker Cherry Nunag led the Angels with 12 points, while opposite hitter Kai Baloaloa added 11.

Dzi Gervacio was the lone double-digit scorer for BanKo with 12 points. Joy Dacoron and Sue Roces each managed seven markers.

The Angels next take on the Ateneo-Motolite Lady Eagles (10-3) next Saturday. BanKo (8-3) will try to recover against the Pocari Sweat-Air Force Lady Warriors on Wednesday. Both games will be played at the same venue.

The Scores

Petro Gazz (3) – Nunag 12, Baloaloa 11, Mercado 7, De Leon 6, Saet 4, Sabete 3, Cheng 0, Mendrez 0, Cruz (L)

BanKo (0) – Gervacio 12, Dacoron 7, Roces 7, Bersola 5, Ahomiro 3, Villanueva 3, Doromal 1, Ferrer 1, Emnas 0, Tiamzon 0, De Jesus (L), Tan (L)