Refusing to leave its fate to chance, Petro Gazz solidified its hold of the second spot in the 2019 PVL Open Conference Final Four seedings on Sunday.
Coming off a skid-ending rout of Air Force, the Angels made swift work of the also-ran Bali Pure Water Defenders, 25-20, 25-11, 25-16, at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Behind yet another balanced offensive thrust and the all-around brilliance of Jovie Prado and Jonah Sabete, the reigning PVL Reinforced champions barely felt resistance. They sprinted towards commanding leads in each set en route to an 11-4 slate — one game ahead of third-seeded Motolite, which possesses a 10-5 card.
“Kahit papaano ‘yung game namin, alam namin na non-bearing na sa kalaban but sa amin crucial,” Petro Gazz head coach Arnold Laniog said. “Sabi ko ‘yung percentage na manalo is mataas for us, but ‘yung quality pa rin talaga yung hinahanap ko.”
Prado and Sabete top-billed with 12 points apiece. The former flirted with a triple-double, lacing her double-digit scoring with 10 excellent digs and nine excellent receptions. The latter also flashed her double-edged arsenal, collecting nine digs and six receptions.
Jeanette Panaga and Kai Baloaloa contributed eight and seven markers, respectively. Paneng Mercado and Jessey De Leon each supplied five points.
Cherry Nunag chimed in four markers. Meanwhile, Petro Gazz playmaker Chie Saet tossed 15 excellent sets for the Angels.
Petro Gazz out-gunned the Water Defenders in the attacking department with a 39-25 differential.
“Nag-start ;yan sa training na pukpukin na talaga namin kasi papunta na kami sa end part ng tournament na ito. So the more na pinupukpok natin ‘yung sarili natin, the more na magiging effective sa game, lalo na sa mga crucial,” Laniog added.
Menchie Tubiera was the lone bright spot for Bali Pure, finishing with nine points and nine excellent digs. Satrianni Espiritu managed five markers, while Miracle Mendoza and Shirley Salamagos had three points apiece.
The Water Defenders close out their campaign with a win-loss record of 4-12.
Petro Gazz tries to build momentum ahead of the semifinal round as it seeks to wrap up the Choco Mucho Flying Titans on Wednesday, October 23, at the same venue.
