MJ Phillips’ towering presence in the middle has been a cornerstone of Petro Gazz’s stunning dismantling of Creamline in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference Finals.
On Saturday night, Phillips was crowned with a well-deserved Finals MVP award after anchoring the Angels with her relentless net defense and timely attacks throughout the three-game series — standing tall when it mattered most.
“Our team has been through a lot and I’m just so happy that we came together when the time was right. We just showed a lot of resilience and grit and I’m just so proud of this team,” said Phillips.
(C) PVL Images
The Fil-American middle blocker came through in the decider, firing 15 points to help Petro Gazz close out the mighty Cool Smashers in four sets, 25-21, 25-16, 23-25, 25-19, in Game 3 at the packed Philsports Arena in Pasig.
Phillips came up big as well in the first two games of the series.
She tallied 16 points, including six big points in the fifth frame, in the Angels’ hard-fought, 25-17, 25-20, 18-25, 20-25, 15-10 Game 1 win. Phillips then turned in 15 points in a 25-15, 16-25, 25-21, 15-25, 15-9 Game 2 loss.
With the 29-year-old middle blocker leading the way, Petro Gazz claimed its third overall championship in the league — and, of course, its first-ever All-Filipino Conference title.
