BACARRA, ILOCOS NORTE — Petro Gazz boosted its semifinals bid by booting BaliPure out of contention through a 25-20, 26-24, 25-23 win in the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference at the PCV Socio-Civic and Cultural Center, Tuesday.
The Angels tied Cherry Tiggo at the third spot with identical 5-2 records. They also eliminated the Water Defenders, who suffered their fifth loss in seven outings.
After a tug of war for the lead, Petro Gazz got its much-needed separation in the form of a 22-18 advantage. They did that by capitalizing on Graze Bombita’s multiple attack errors.
Roselle Baliton and Gyra Barroga fired back-to-back hits, but Myla Pablo answered back for a 23-20 lead.
Bombita converted another for BaliPure, then an error on the receiving end put the Angels at match-point, 24-21.
Bern Flora and Geneveve Casugod kept the Water Defenders alive. But Grethcel Soltones ended the match with a cross-court hit.
“Ready talaga sila. ‘Yung fast game nila kumakapit, high-percentage yung mga wings nila,” said Petro Gazz head coach Arnold Laniog.
Soltones led the Angels with 14 points off nine attacks, four aces, and a block. Ria Meneses finished with eight points, while Pablo and Jerrili Malabanan added seven each.
Defensive specialist Kath Arado collected 18 excellent receptions and nine excellent digs. Ivy Perez contributed 15 excellent sets and two markers.
Remy Palma sat out the match for Petro Gazz.
“On our part, tinake advantage namin ‘yung opportunity na mabigyan ng playing time ‘yung iba para at the same time, ‘yung ibang players makalaro na going to the end part ng tournament dahil mapapansin naman natin sa lahat ng mga players, nag-iiba na timpla ng katawan,” shared Laniog.
“Might as well maka-recover para pagdating sa mga susunod na kailangan talaga sila, mas mabubuhos 100 percent,” he added.
On the other hand, Bombita unloaded 18 points in the loss. Sati Espiritu and Casugod contributed 10 and nine, respectively.
Petro Gazz will go up against final four contender Sta. Lucia on Thursday at 6:00 PM. Meanwhile, BaliPure looks to save face against PLDT on the same day at 3:00 PM.
