Second-ranked Petro Gazz booked the final semifinals ticket after pummeling seventh-seeded ZUS Coffee, 25-21, 25-19, 25-23, in Game 3 of their 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference quarterfinals series at the Philsports Arena on Tuesday.
The Angels completed a comeback from down one game as the Thunderbelles shocked them in Game 1, 25-21, 25-23, 27-25, last Tuesday.
Petro Gazz responded with a dominant 25-19, 25-13, 28-26 victory in Game 2 to force a decider and extend its life in the record six-month conference.
Petro Gazz joined Creamline, Choco Mucho, and Akari in the round-robin semis which will begin on Saturday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The Flying Titans will collide with the Chargers at 4:00 PM, followed by the Angels and the Cool Smashers clash at 6:30 PM.
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“Today’s game was an excellent game. ZUS is a strong team so from this, we would take one step higher, we would improve for the semifinals,” said Angels head coach Koji Tsuzurabara after the 95-minute match.
The Thunderbelles entered the third set with their backs against the wall, but Chinnie Arroyo and Chai Troncoso stepped up.
ZUS Coffee even took a 22-21 lead off an Arroyo backrow hit, but she made an error the following play to even the game. MJ Phillips then gave Petro Gazz the 23-22 advantage with a quick kill.
Joan Narit responded with a block on Phillips in the ensuing play, but that would be the Thunderbelles’s final point. Arroyo hit the ball out before Myla Pablo claimed the victory for the Angels with a solid denial on Thea Gagate.
The 2024 All-Filipino Conference MVP Brooke Van Sickle delivered a game-best 24 points for the Angels, followed by Phillips’s 10 points.
Forty-year-old Chie Saet, who started for the second straight game, impressed with 20 excellent sets while also scoring five points on three attacks and two aces.
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While its campaign ended in heartbreak, it was still a very upbeat conference for ZUS Coffee.
The team reached previously-unreachable places, won its first match in franchise history, gained its first win streak, and earned its first playoff berth.
Arroyo paced the Thunderbelles with 13 points, while Gagate and Troncoso each finished 10 points apiece.
