Petro Gazz sweeps Tacloban to start campaign

Having another game tomorrow, the retooled Petro Gazz Angels made quick work of the Tacloban Fighting Warays, 25-22, 25-14, 26-24, to begin the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference at the FilOil Flying V Centre.

Petro Gazz started the match swimmingly, building a 16-11 lead in the first set and staving off a late Tacloban run. The Angels followed with a strong showing in the second frame, amassing a 16-8 cushion and never looking back.

The Angels neared a clear sweep with 23-21 lead in the third set. The Fighting Warays mustered a last gasp 2-0 run behind attacks from Heather Guino-O and Shola Alvarez. Dragged into a deuce, Ranya Musa saved the Angels with running hit then a tandem block on Guino-O to close the match.

“We wanted to get some of our players more time kasi nga we’re playing back-to-back,” answered Petro Gazz head coach of his team’s near collapse in the third set. “‘Yun nga sana may rest for some of our players kasi gusto natin fresh pa rin sila tomorrow.”

Paneng Mercado led the Angels with 14 points, while open hitter Mary Anne Mendrez added 11 markers.

Heather Guino-O topped the Fighting Warays with nine points. Mary Anne Esguerra and Jovielyn Prado managed six points apiece.

The Angels take on the Pocari Sweat Lady Warriors tomorrow at the Imus City Sports Center. Tacloban face the Iriga-Navy Lady Oragons on Wednesday at the Malolos Sports and Convention Center.

The Scores

Petro Gazz (3) – Mercado 14, Mendrez 11, Musa 10, Sabete 8, De Leon 5, Saet 3, Nunag 2, Austero 1, Baloaloa 0, Pablo 0, Cruz (L), Enclona (L)

Tacloban (0) – Guino-O 9, Esguerra 6, Prado 6, Alvarez 5, Marzan 5, Tubiera 4, Abil 2, Negrito 2, Guillema 0, Galang (L), Ibisa (L)