BATANGAS — Petro Gazz put up a masterclass at the Batangas City Sports Center, limiting Gerflor to just four points in the second set en route to a 25-11, 25-4, 25-23 victory in the Premier Volleyball League Second All-Filipino Conference, Saturday.
The Defenders’ four-point output in the second frame is the second-lowest in league history. It was just a point shy of BaliPure’s three-point showing in the second set of its match against Creamline in the Ilocos Norte bubble in 2021.
“Siguro I’ll give credit to the girls kasi talagang nakita natin yung ano, yung sipag saka yung tiyaga nila sa loob ng court na even though we had long rallies during that set, we were able to get the break points,” said Angels head coach Timmy Sto. Tomas.
The Angels went on a blistering 17-5 start in the opening frame before hiking its lead to as big as 14 points, 23-9.
Then they extended their dominant showing in the second set to take a quick 2-0 advantage over Gerflor.
Looking to save face after an embarrassing showing in the first two sets, the Defenders tried to extend the game to a fourth set. Danika Gendrauli cashed in back-to-back hits to tie the game at 22-all.
Marian Buitre stopped the bleeding with a cross-court hit before Nicole Tiamzon got one of her own to push the Angels at match point.
The former committed a service error, but Tiamzon seized the opportunity in the ensuing play. She scored a kill to finish off the match.
“I was really happy kasi nakita natin kung paano mag-laro yung girls especially kapag naging disiplinado sila sa pinapagawa sa kanila. So I was very happy na nag-respond naman sila,” added Sto. Tomas.
Buitre and Tiamzon spearheaded Petro Gazz’s balanced offensive attack with eight points each. Meanwhile, Grethcel Soltones added seven points, 14 excellent dogs, and five excellent receptions in the team’s second consecutive victory.
Ranya Musa had seven points as well.
Jonah Sabete and Remy Palma chipped in six points each.
Djanel Cheng tossed 11 excellent sets to go along with four points. Meanwhile, Baby Love Barbon tallied seven excellent digs and five excellent receptions.
Petro Gazz had an impressive performance from the service line. It scored a total of eight aces against Gerflor’s one while also putting up a 40-18 advantage in attack points.
The Angels look to extend their winning streak against Nxled on Saturday, 6:00 p.m. in Candon, Ilocos Sur.
On the other hand, Mary Grace Berte led the 0-2 Gerflor with six points while Menchie Tubiera had five markers.
The Defenders dropped its seventh consecutive game since joining the previous conference.
Gerflor will try to get its first win in the professional league against reigning champion Creamline on Thursday, 2:00 PM at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
