The Petro Gazz Angels dispelled their two-game slump, dashing the playoff hopes of the Air Force Lady Jet Spikers with a straight-set hammer, 25-20, 25-15, 25-14, and booked their semifinals ticket in the 2019 PVL Open Conference, Wednesday at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
“Siyempre happy. Masarap sa pakiramdam, especially na-cut ulit namin yung losing streak namin. With this win, nakabalik na ulit kami sa track namin,” Petro Gazz head coach Arnold Laniog beamed, as his side regained its lethal form following two consecutive losses to Motolite then Creamline.
Jonah Sabete and Jovie Prado continued to provide the much-needed firepower for Petro Gazz.
Sabete hammered down a game-high 15 points, lacing it with 10 excellent digs to post a double-double outing. Prado, on the other hand, punched in 11 markers built on eight attacks and three aces, on top of eight excellent receptions.
The reliable troika of Cherry Nunag, Jeanette Panaga, and Kai Baloaloa fueled Petro Gazz’s balanced offensive barrage. All three Angels rained down seven markers apiece. Paneng Mercado was also instrumental with four points, while Chie Saet shouldered the playmaking duties with 12 excellent sets.
The reigning PVL Reinforced titleholders have risen to solo second spot with a 10-4 slate. Still, they have to continue jockeying for crucial positioning against the third-seeded Banko Perlas Spikers (10-5) and fourth-ranked Motolite.
“Hopefully, magtuluy-tuloy but we still have two games sa elimination round, and ‘yung ranking… Actually ‘yung sa amin, ‘di pa kami safe. Kung two ba kami or three, medyo magulo pa kasi ang BanKo at Motolite may remaining games din,” Laniog added.
Air Force, on the other hand, has bowed out of championship contention after stumbling to a 6-8 card.
Jozza Cabalsa topped the Lady Jet Spikers, scoring eight points with half of which coming from kill blocks. May Ann Pantino and Judy Caballejo managed six markers each, both in a losing cause.
The Angels will try to pick up more steam before entering the semifinals when they face the Bali Pure Water Defenders on Sunday, October 20. Meanwhile, the Lady Jet Spikers seek to regain their winning ways on Saturday, October 19, when they take on the Chef’s Classics Lady Red Spikers. Both matches will be played at the same venue.
