STA ROSA — In a match marked by a roller-coaster of momentum shifts in the second set, Petro Gazz blew away F2 Logistics with a searing start in the third set.
The Angels went on to secure a 25-22, 27-25, 25-14 victory over the Cargo Movers and regain a shared view of the top in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference eliminations at the Santa Rosa Sports Complex here on Thursday.
The Angels maintained the momentum from their big windup in a tension-filled frame, taking the first six points in the third set and never giving the Cargo Movers a chance to recover. They built leads of as many as 23-13 on a Dzi Gervacio power hit against two F2 Logistics defenders, turning what had appeared to be a grueling, drawn-out duel into a stroll at the finish.
This paved the way for the Angels to notch their fourth consecutive win without dropping a set. They tied with the Creamline Cool Smashers on top again while dropping the Cargo Movers to 2-2, tying with the Cignal HD Spikers.
Ranya Musa shone with an 11-point effort and clinched the game’s top honors, completely in awe of her superb game-long play that helped secure the Angels’ one-hour and 32-minute victory.
“Hindi ako makapaniwala na nangyayari ito. Ang gusto ko lang ay makatulong at manalo ang team,” said Musa in Filipino.
Coach Timmy Sto. Tomas, meanwhile, marked his return to the Petro Gazz bench with another straight-set win, praising his wards’ resiliency and teamwork.
“I’m very happy for the girls who were able to hold their ground, especially in the second set,” he said. “We were up midway through but made some lapses. But they were able to catch up and lessen their errors.”
He also cited his veterans’ heads-up play and for keeping the team in sync, saying: “They were really able to hold the team together, especially in the stretch when we needed to score the points most.”
Jonah Sabete played that role to the hilt, coming through with a couple of big blasts that spiked the Angels’ thrilling victory in the second set where momentum swung back and forth, particularly at the endgame that led to an extension.
Sabete also finished with 11 points while Remy Palma and Grethcel Soltones each made nine points while providing the veteran smarts, and Aiza Pontillas added six markers for the Angels, who dominated with 46 attack points against their rivals’ 28.
Jolina dela Cruz topscored for F2 Logistics with 13 points, while Ivy Lacsina struggled for eight markers, and Ara Galang wound up with six points.
