Petro Gazz delivered another balanced offensive thrust, ripping apart Motolite in straight sets, 25-21, 25-16, 28-26, in the 2019 PVL Open Conference, Sunday at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
While the Angels displayed a collective effort in scoring, it was Jonah Sabete and Jeanette Panaga who took charge for the reigning Reinforced champions at the match’s crucial juncture.
Sabete fired a game-high 14 points, while Panaga hammered down 13 markers spiked by three kill blocks. And none were bigger than the differential hits they uncorked in the uphill battle in the decisive third set.
Down by three points at 18-21, the Petro Gazz duo pulled the Angels to a deadlock with a 3-0 spurt. Jovie Prado then joined in the offensive surge with a kill that gave her team a slim edge at 22-21.
Momentum swung wildly from there on, as a stalemate ensued at 24-all. Right after Bern Flora uncorked an ace that put Motolite at set point, Sabete responded with a booming down the line attack.
Knotted yet again, this time at 25-all, Marist Layug roofed Sabete. Panaga then went for a quick attack that saved another set point for Petro Gazz.
Not wanting to extend the game into another frame, Sabete evaded the outstretched arms of Motolite defenders, unleashing a cross-court kill that lifted the Angels at match point, 27-26. Cherry Nunag then bamboozled the defense in the ensuing play as she nailed the lethal blow.
“Sabi ko sa kanila pagpasok sa third set ‘As much as possible, maging aggressive tayo, maging intense tayo’. Doon sa first two sets na nanalo tayo, dapat maging mas aggressive tayo this time,” Petro Gazz head coach Arnold Laniog said.
“Siguro yung maturity na lang talaga ng mga players and yung composure ang gumana kanina sa crucial point,” he added.
Prado scattered seven markers, eight excellent receptions, and 17 excellent digs. Nunag supplied 10 points.
Petro Gazz playmaker Djanel Cheng dished out 17 excellent sets. Meanwhile, Cienne Cruz manned the floor with 20 excellent digs and 16 excellent receptions.
The Angels rose to a joint second place with BanKo Perlas Spikers, who also possess a 5-2 card. Moreover, they stretched their win streak to four.
On the other hand, Motolite did not just suffer a loss that halted a four-game winning streak. They also received a huge blow in the 95-minute match.
Midway through the second set, Myla Pablo suffered a metatarsal sprain on her right foot. The Motolite ace spiker had to be stretchered off the court after she poured in a team-high 10 points. She did not return in the match.
Tots Carlos also topped Motolite with 10 markers. Isa Molde flirted with a triple-double of seven points, 11 excellent receptions, and 14 excellent digs.
Bern Flora, who stepped up in lieu of Pablo, had seven markers, four of which coming from the service area.
Motolite fell to solo fourth place with a 4-2 record.
Petro Gazz will look to sustain momentum when they take on the Chef’s Classics Lady Red Spikers on Saturday. Meanwhile, Motolite shall face the BanKo Perlas Spikers on Wednesday. Both matches will be played at the same venue.
