Knowing what’s at stake — and after witnessing what could happen — Petro Gazz stars Myla Pablo and Brooke Van Sickle made sure not to let up in the Angels’ qualifying round match against Capital1 in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.
The stakes are high in the qualifying round, as the losing team, regardless of its ranking in the preliminaries, will head straight to the play-in tournament where they will fight for the last two remaining slots in the quarterfinals.
The league’s newest format also had a fitting start, as the tenth-seeded Galeries Tower took down the third-ranked Cignal in four sets, 25-17, 25-22, 19-25, 25-19, to secure its first-ever playoff appearance.
That also sent the HD Spikers, who finished the preliminaries with an 8-3 record, down to the play-in.
Pablo, Van Sickle, and the rest of the Angels were well aware of the monumental upset that took place last Thursday — so much so that they even held a meeting before their match against the Solar Spikers.
“Well, kasi this game kailangan hindi ka pwedeng mag-relax. Kasi wala ring kwenta ‘yung winning games mo and top two ka kung matatalo ka this qualifying round,” said the former two-time league MVP.
“Sabi nga namin, hindi tayo pwede mag-start ng slow. Kailangan talaga tayo mag-start ng magandang energy sa loob ng court,” she added.
Petro Gazz stuck to its plan of coming out firing, but as expected, Capital1 answered with relentless energy — turning the first two sets into tightly contested battles before the Angels eventually settled down and seized control in the third.
The Angels leaned on their chemistry and firepower in the third, racing to a 16-10 advantage in the decider to finish off the gutsy Solar Spikers, who were looking to emulate the Highrisers’ feat two days ago.
Van Sickle, echoing what Creamline team captain Alyssa Valdez said last Thursday, admitted that it served as a wake-up call for Petro Gazz — and a stern warning to the entire league that no team can be taken lightly, regardless of seeding.
(C) PVL Images
“In a way, it was a wake-up call. It was a reminder that it’s anyone’s game. It’s the tournament now. It’s top six, bottom six, whatever the tournament is. Now, again, like how I said, it’s a do-or-die situation,” said the reigning All-Filipino Conference MVP.
“We have to take every point seriously and every team seriously. Everyone’s going to be fighting. Everyone wants to win. It’s just who has the more disciplined fight and who’s on. It’s going to be a battle.”
Van Sickle delivered a game-high 19 points on 15 attacks, two kill blocks, and two service aces to go along with nine excellent digs and 14 excellent receptions.
Meanwhile, Pablo tallied 17 points, 15 of which came from the attack line.
Despite securing an outright spot in the quarterfinals, the Fil-Hawaiian outside hitter reminded the Angels to stay grounded and focused, knowing their ultimate goal is to win the championship.
“I would like to say that we can’t get too ahead of ourselves. The championship is the goal. But we have to focus on what’s ahead of us. I don’t know who we’re going to play next. But we have to take that game seriously,” said Van Sickle.
“Fight as much as we can. Take it game by game. It’s easier said than done to win a championship. Everyone can say it’s their goal and their wish. But we have to put in the work. I’m just really proud of the team. I feel like everyone’s doing a fantastic job. It doesn’t matter who it is. Everyone’s stepping up. I’m really happy. I’m at peace right now.”
