In their 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference semifinals matchup, Petro Gazz fought valiantly to complete a comeback against Choco Mucho, but Myla Pablo suffered a setback.
Down 15-21 in the fourth set, with the Angels on the brink of victory after claiming the second and third frames, Petro Gazz, led by Aiza Maizo-Pontillas and Ranya Musa, mounted a rally.
They even managed to take a 23-21 lead, thanks to back-to-back aces from Djanel Cheng.
The Angels reached match point at 24-22, but Royse Tubino responded with two straight points, the last of which was a solid block on Pablo.
This moment brought back memories of Petro Gazz’s stunning upset loss to ZUS Coffee in Game 1 of their best-of-three quarterfinals series on March 18, where they were defeated in straight sets, 25-21, 25-23, 27-25.
In that unexpected loss, Pablo was involved in the final three points that sealed the Thunderbelles’ victory. With Petro Gazz leading 25-24, Pablo was given a green card after admitting that Jovelyn Gonzaga’s hit grazed her fingers, tying the game. On the next play, her crosscourt spike went wide before being blocked by Gonzaga, sealing the loss for the Angels.
Determined to rewrite the script, Pablo stepped up when her team needed her most in the intense moments against the Flying Titans.
(C) PVL Images
“Actually, naging lesson learned sa akin yung crucial sa ZUS din. So parang sabi ko, ‘Ito nanaman ako, ako nanaman yung nasa harapan.’
“Kailangan talaga is makuha namin itong four sets, and then ayun nga, parang nag-usap-usap kami sa loob ng court na pagpapalo ako, i-cover ako. Yun yung naging maganda sa team namin, is nandoon yung tiwala ng bawat isa,” shared the three-time MVP.
With the score tied at 25, Pablo embraced the spotlight. She first delivered a down-the-line kill and then clinched the match with a push shot that sailed through the blockers and dropped into the heart of the Flying Titans’ defense.
“Na-block ako ni ate Royse Tubino and sabi ko—humingi ako kay (Djanel) Cheng na ‘Cheng, isa pa, babawi ako,’” recalled Pablo. “After that—yun din yung maganda kay Cheng, is ang laki ng tiwala niya samin as players, even kahit crucial na points.”
Pablo finished with 13 points, including eight attacks and five blocks, alongside nine excellent digs. Brooke Van Sickle was also stellar, contributing 17 points, 22 excellent receptions, and 12 digs.
This crucial victory has given the Angels a shot at reaching the Finals, with three potential scenarios ahead.
Petro Gazz can secure a spot in the Finals with a win against Akari on Thursday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Even with a loss to Akari, Petro Gazz can still advance if Creamline loses to Choco Mucho. Alternatively, a triple-tie at 2-1 with the Angels, the Chargers, and the Cool Smashers could lead to the Angels emerging on top of the tiebreak system, or if not, they would fall into the playoffs.
