Before the start of the 2024 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference, Petro Gazz was among the favorites to win the title as the defending champions.
The Angels have historically performed well during import-spiced conferences, securing two PVL crowns in the 2019 and 2022 Reinforced seasons.
Another reason for their favorite tag was the return of Wilma Salas, their 2019 reinforcement, who joined Petro Gazz for another shot at a championship.
However, grouped in Pool B alongside Cignal, Akari, Choco Mucho, Capital1, and ZUS Coffee, the Angels encountered heavy opposition after winning their first game against the Thunderbelles.
Since then, Petro Gazz has shockingly lost to the Solar Spikers in straight sets. They succumbed to the Chargers via reverse sweep, then bowed to the HD Spikers in three sets on Thursday.
At 1-3 and in the bottom half of their pool, Brooke Van Sickle shared that this is proof the PVL continues to reach greater heights, with league parity very evident through upsets and shockers.
“As I said from Day 1, the league’s getting better and every conference goes on, the PVL just keeps getting better and better, and all these girls are improving. Teams are just getting good,” said the 2024 All-Filipino Conference MVP.
“Congratulations to everyone. Every team has done an amazing job, so we have to be able to counteract that better,” she continued.
In danger of finishing in the bottom three of their group, which would have them facing the top three teams from Pool A, Van Sickle wants her team to stay together to overcome this three-game slide.
Her stellar 28-point outburst in three sets against Cignal still could not stop the Angels from falling to their third straight defeat as they continue to deal with personnel issues.
“I wouldn’t say panic, but yeah, of course, going off three losses is not what we wanted. We have to take those lessons, we have to learn fast because pool play is almost over,” said Van Sickle.
“There is a sense of urgency for sure, and we’re putting ourselves in a situation where we’re making it harder for ourselves.”
Petro Gazz will finish the first round against Choco Mucho on Tuesday.
