What ZUS Coffee delivered in abundance, Petro Gazz severely lacked.
The seventh-seeded Thunderbelles stunned the second-ranked Angels, 25-21, 25-23, 27-25, in Game 1 of their best-of-three quarterfinals series in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday evening at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
For veteran spiker Myla Pablo, Petro Gazz fell short in showing the same fighting spirit that ZUS Coffee had in full supply.
“Ang nangyari talaga this game, parang nawala kami. Nawala kami nung first set and second set,” said the former league MVP.
“Nung third set, kala namin makukuha na namin yung set 3 pero lumaban yung ZUS eh. Kudos din talaga lalo yung mga depensahan nila, yung kung paano gumalaw ang ZUS,” she continued, acknowledging the Thunderbelles’ resilience as they rallied to steal the extended third set.
“I think yun din yung naging kulang talaga namin, yung tapang namin sa loob ng court.”
(C) PVL Images
In response to their disappointing performance, the Angels held a meeting immediately after the match to address their struggles and refocus ahead of Game 2.
Despite the heartbreaking defeat that snapped their 10-game winning streak, the Angels still have a chance to bounce back.
Game 2 is scheduled for Saturday at 4 p.m. at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
For Pablo, the key is to avoid repeating the same mistakes, particularly their sluggish start.
A stronger opening, she believes, could boost their confidence and help turn the series around.
“Siguro sa susunod na game namin this Saturday, siguro kung ano yung mga naging lapses namin this game, kailangan talaga namin pagtrabahuhan sa training,” said Pablo, who scored 14 points in the loss. “Mag-start kami bukas, meron pa naman kami three days to prepare for Game 2.
“Sinasabi ko nga, yung first set talaga parang ang tagal namin mag-init sa loob ng court. Parang mas pinapahirap namin yung sarili namin na humabol lagi ng set,” she added.
“I think sa Game 2 talaga, kailangan makauna kami. Hindi pwedeng kami yung naghahabol.”
