By: Ohmer Bautista
With their season on the line, the Petro Gazz Angels responded with a straight-sets victory over the Iriga-Navy Lady Oragons, 25-19, 25-14, 25-19, in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference Quarterfinals at the Filoil Flying V Centre.
“One more loss and mahirap na mahirap nang makapasok ng top two sa quarters,” Petro Gazz head coach Jerry Yee admitted. “We’re taking things seriously.”
The Angels dictated the pace early on, establishing an 11-point lead, 15-4, to take the opening set. The Lady Oragons, however, saw daylight in the second set, 10-8, only to squander it as Petro Gazz uncorked a 17-3 onslaught to steal the set.
Up by five in the decisive third set, 18-13, Petro Gazz thought they were home-free. But the Lady Oragons suddenly unleashed a 5-1 run to cut the deficit to a solitary point, 18-19.
With Iriga-Navy picking up steam, an Olena Lymareva-Flink cross-court-kill restored order for Petro Gazz, and incited a 6-1 spree that ultimately sealed the deal for the Angels.
With the win, coach Yee confessed that his team is overflowing with confidence, and said that they’ll be using this extra-boost to pull off their next tall order.
“Motivated siyempre,” he announced. “But we have to win against Perlas siyempre… bawal nga matalo eh.”
Petro Gazz imports Lymareva-Flink and Anastasiia Trach anchored the team with 17 points apiece.
Iriga-Navy import Lauren Whyte topscored with 18 markers in a losing effort. Macy Ubben, who was a huge factor for the Lady Oragons in their previous games, only managed eight points.
Petro Gazz (3-1) will figure in a must-win showdown against the unblemished BanKo Perlas (3-0) on Wednesday, June 27. Iriga- Navy, who were eliminated last Wednesday, bow out of contention with a 1-4 slate.
The Scores:
Petro Gazz (3) – Lymareva-Flink 17, Trach 17, Mercado 9, Nunag 7, Saet 5, Layug 3, Mendrez 0, Enclona (L), Cruz (L)
Iriga-Navy (0) – Whyte 18, Ubben 8, Bombita 4, Acuna 3, Imbo 3, Eguia 1, Madulid 0, Dela Cruz 0, Kim 0, Cabriana 0, Martinez 0, Ticar (L)
