Petro Gazz dealt Cignal its first loss of the tournament with a dominant 25-19, 25-21, 25-18 sweep, extending their winning streak to four matches in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Saturday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
The victory improved the Angels’ record to 5-1, propelling them to solo first place as they wrapped up the 12-team standings ahead of the league’s one-month holiday break. Meanwhile, the HD Spikers dropped to second at 4-1, holding a slim one-game edge over Creamline, which remains unbeaten with a 4-0 slate in third place.
“Today’s game was tougher, but we delivered strong defense. Brooke also contributed greatly on defense, which worked to our advantage. Our setters stepped up today, allowing our middle and opposite spikers to perform at their best,” said Petro Gazz head coach Koji Tsuzubara.
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The Angels cruised through the opening set, 25-19, but had to dig deep in the second frame. Trailing 16-19, they unleashed a decisive 9-2 run led by Brooke Van Sickle, Myla Pablo, Djanel Cheng, and Remy Palma to secure the set, 25-21, and take a 2-0 lead.
In the third set, Cignal managed to cut the deficit from 16-11 to 17-14, but Petro Gazz quickly regained control. Two crucial hits from MJ Phillips and a backrow attack from Van Sickle extended the Angels’ lead to 20-14.
Petro Gazz then sealed the match with a flurry of plays: a quick hit from Phillips, crosscourt and down-the-line attacks from Van Sickle, and an off-speed hit from Jonah Sabete.
Van Sickle spearheaded Petro Gazz’s attack with 19 points, built on 13 kills and a game-high six blocks, along with seven excellent digs. Pablo delivered 15 points, all from attacks, while Phillips, in her second game back, chipped in 11 points.
Baby Love Barbon provided stability with 11 excellent receptions, while Cheng orchestrated their offense with 11 excellent sets.
After the holiday break, Petro Gazz will look to extend their winning streak to five matches when they face the Chery Tiggo Crossovers on January 21, 2025, at the Philsports Arena.
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For Cignal, Ces Molina was the lone double-digit scorer with 10 points off nine attacks and one ace, along with four excellent receptions. Vanie Gandler added nine points from seven attacks, one ace, and one block.
On defense, Dawn Macandili-Catindig tallied nine excellent digs, while Gel Cayuna kept their offense steady with 11 excellent sets.
The HD Spikers will aim to bounce back after the break when they take on the Galeries Tower Highrisers on the same date and at the same venue.
