CANDON CITY – After a tough loss to defending champion Creamline, Petro Gazz bounced back with a dominant 25-21, 25-17, 25-19 victory over Farm Fresh in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Saturday at the Candon City Arena.
Led by Brooke Van Sickle, a native of San Emilio, Ilocos Sur, the Angels came prepared and neutralized every comeback attempt from the Foxies. With the win, Petro Gazz tied Choco Mucho for fourth place, both holding identical 2-1 records.
“Last game against Creamline, we didn’t have good teamwork, but today, we had great teamwork, and that’s why we won,” said Petro Gazz head coach Koji Tsuzurabara.
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The reigning All-Filipino Conference MVP shone in her home province, scoring 20 points, 19 of which came from attacks, in the Angels’ one-hour, 37-minute victory.
Myla Pablo, filling in for the injured Jonah Sabete (strained left calf), made an impressive start, contributing 11 points. Veteran opposite spiker Aiza Pontillas also finished in double figures with 10 points.
“I appreciate Farm Fresh; they’re a young team. Our outside spiker, Jonah Sabete, couldn’t play due to injury, but Myla Pablo stepped up with a great performance. Other players also played well,” added the Japanese coach.
Djanel Cheng orchestrated the Angels’ offense with 13 excellent sets, while Baby Love Barbon anchored their defense with 12 excellent receptions and 12 excellent digs.
Petro Gazz executed with precision, committing just 13 errors and capitalizing on the Foxies’ 21 errors.
Meanwhile, middle blocker MJ Phillips missed her third consecutive game due to the same left foot injury that sidelined her during last season’s Reinforced Conference.
Petro Gazz will return to action after an 11-day break, facing Akari on December 5 at 6:30 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
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On the other hand, Farm Fresh dropped its second straight match under new head coach Benson Bocboc.
Playing with just 12 players, the Foxies relied on Trisha Tubu, who tallied 14 points, including 13 attacks. Maicah Larroza and Rizza Cruz added nine and seven points, respectively.
The Foxies will aim for their first win of the conference when they face Akari on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
