Petro Gazz ran away with a four-set win to keep its finals hope alive as Cignal clinched the first finals seat despite the loss, 25-14, 25-21, 25-27, 25-19 in the 2022 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference semifinals, Tuesday at the Philsports Arena.
Lindsey Vander Weide dropped 30 points on 30 attacks to keep the Angels stay alive in finals contention.
Petro Gazz, who ended its run with a 2-1 slate, can still make it to the last round if Creamline loses to Chery Tiggo later. A finals berth is also possible if the Cool Smashers-Crossovers game reaches five sets.
MJ Phillips chipped in 13 points built on seven blocks, five points, and an ace while Aiza Maizo-Pontillas added 10 points on 10 attacks.
“We’ll take it na rin basta nanalo kami. Sayang, pero tutal yung win naman yung habol talaga so tignan na lang natin yung magiging factor doon sa three-way tie,” said Angels head coach Rald Ricafort.
“Wala e, kung ‘di naman sa amin nakasalalay, I mean doon na sa magiging next game ng Creamline at Chery, at least tinrabaho pa rin namin. Mataas yung expectations e, pinaguusapan na nga natin kailangan maka-straight sets. Kung ‘di ‘man namin makuha at least nakapanalo pa rin so abangan na lang mamaya, ‘di na sa amin nakasalalay,” he added.
Petro Gazz had the chance to sweep Cignal and punch its ticket to the finals after putting up a 24-21 advantage. Unfortunately, Tai Bierria came into the rescue for the HD Spikers, scoring three points in a 4-0 blast to take up a 25-24 lead.
MJ Phillips tied the game with a quick hit but Bierria and Ria Meneses hammered down two consecutive attacks to send the game to a fourth set – which the Angels eventually won following a 6-0 rally that gave them a 20-15 lead. Petro Gazz never looked back from there to bag the game in four sets.
Despite the loss, the HD Spikers, who ended the round robin semis with six points and a 2-1 standing, took the first finals berth by virtue of a higher set ratio.
Bierria paced Cignal with 15 points while Meneses and Rose Doria added eight and seven markers each.
Game One of the finals will begin on Thursday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
