Petro Gazz ran out of steam and exited the 2025 AVC Champions League after a heartbreaking five-set defeat to Beijing Baic Motor.
Jin Ye unleashed a monster 37-point performance as Beijing rallied from a 1-2 set deficit to stun the Angels, 31-29, 19-25, 20-25, 25-20, 15-12, and punch a semifinal ticket on Friday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
Jin, who also recorded eight digs and five receptions, outdueled Petro Gazz’s American import Gia Day, who delivered 35 points and 15 digs in a gallant stand.
“Although our team is really young, we don’t think about that. We just go for every point and facing a difficult team like Petro Gazz is a great teaching moment for us. We learned how to solve the problem on the court,” said Jin, who tallied her 37 points off 33 attacks and four blocks.
(C) PVL Images
While Jin stood tallest throughout the match, it was Lu Yufei who shone brightest in the deciding fifth set. She delivered five crucial points, including the final blow that shattered the Angels’ hopes after a marathon two-hour and 34-minute battle.
Lu pushed Baic to match point with an off-the-block hit, 14-9, before Petro Gazz made one last stand.
MJ Phillips sparked a brief rally with back-to-back points — a quick attack followed by a kill block — then Lu sent an attack wide, trimming the lead to 14-12. But after a calming timeout from head coach Kuang Qi, Lu returned and sealed the deal with a decisive down-the-line spike that booked Beijing’s spot in the Final Four.
Day, who only arrived in the Philippines on April 18, led the Angels’ charge after a grueling first-set loss. She was instrumental in a 5-0 blitz that turned an 18-17 lead into a 23-17 cushion, helping Petro Gazz level the match at one set apiece.
The 26-year-old outside spiker from Michigan, USA, also pushed the Angels ahead 2-1 in sets with back-to-back kills in the third frame.
Beijing will face VTV Bình Điền Long An, powered by Vietnamese star Tran Thi Thanh Thuy, in the semifinals tomorrow at 7:00 PM.
The other semifinal match-up will feature Zhetysu VC against Nakhon Ratchasima at 4:00 PM.
(C) PVL Images
Lu finished with 19 points, while Shan Lanfeng and Shen Hongyi added 12 and 11 markers, respectively. Shan and Shen also contributed three and four blocks to power Beijing’s 18-block total.
On the Petro Gazz side, reigning PVL MVP Brooke Van Sickle backed up Day with 17 points built on 12 attacks, three aces, and two blocks, while also contributing 22 digs.
Jonah Sabete chipped in 15 points, and MJ Phillips added 11 in the loss.
