Petro Gazz bounced back from its opening day loss and swept Choco Mucho 25-18, 25-20, 25-21 in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference, Thursday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Aiza Maizo-Pontillas put up a vintage performance and posted a game-high 19 points built on 18 attacks to go along with 14 excellent digs to help the Angels chalk their first win to go 1-1 in the standings.
Grethcel Soltones chipped in nine markers and 13 excellent receptions while Jonah Sabete and Des Clemente had nine and seven points, respectively.
“I’m very thankful sa kanila [players ko] but it’s not about me considering na ‘di pa naman ako matagal sa kanila. So, siguro ang naidagdag ko na lang is yung motivation, yung character, but the skills are there,” said Petro Gazz head coach Oliver Almadro, who went up against his former team for the first time.
“Yung maturity nila nandon, yung hardwork nila nandon, so I will not say na ako yun. It’s them, sila yung may gusto. Sinabi na nila sa akin yesterday na they will win so I believed them,” he added.
Ahead by a solitary point in the third and final frame, 21-20, Remy Palma hit a running attack before blocking Des Cheng to put the Angels ahead by three.
Cheng answered back to keep the team afloat but Maizo-Pontillas and Jonah Sabete cashed consecutive attacks to give Petro Gazz the straight sets victory.
Kat Tolentino was the lone double-digit scorer for the Rebisco-backed squad, firing 14 points on 11 attacks and three blocks.
Cheng followed with nine markers while Isa Molde and Maddie Madayag had five and four points, respectively, in the Flying Titans’ first loss of the tournament.
Petro Gazz will face Cignal on February 18, Saturday at 4:00 PM (Philsports Arena) while Choco Mucho eyes to bounce back against sister team Creamline on February 14, Tuesday at 6:30 PM (SMART Araneta Coliseum).
