The revamped Petro Gazz snagged its first win in Pool B of the 2022 Premier Volleyball League Open Conference after a four-set win over BaliPure, 25-14, 25-20, 23-25, 25-21, Thursday at the Paco Arena and Sports Center.
After its comeback fell short in the third set, the Angels opened the fourth set with an 8-4 blast for the early lead.
The Water Defenders fought anew, though, eventually trimming the advantage to just one heading into the technical timeout. But Grethcel Soltones – who hit three straight aces – led a 6-1 rally to give Petro Gazz a 20-14 lead.
“Medyo tumagal yung game also, pero ganun talaga e. Konti lang yung games namin sa first round e, tatlo,” said returning Petro Gazz head coach Jerry Yee.
“So gusto natin ma-maximize yung lineup natin, kailangan natin i-pasok. Andiyan si Nicole [Tiamzon], andiyan si MJ [Phillips], si Jonah [Sabete] bumalik. So tina-try natin i-utilize lahat.”
Both squads exchanged hits from there, before Janine Marciano sliced the Angels’ lead to five, 18-23.
An attack error from Marciano put Petro Gazz at match-point. However, it took a while before the Angels sealed the deal.
Tiamzon then served long in the next possession, while Soltones committed an error followed by a net touch violation by Palma. Aiza Maizo-Pontillas eventually ended the match with a hit.
Balanced was Petro Gazz’s attack with a total of 10 players contributing a point.
Soltones registered 12 points, six of which came from the service line, along with 14 digs and 12 receptions. Palma and Phillips also added 12 apiece.
Maizo-Pontillas scored 10 markers and 14 receptions in her Petro Gazz debut. On the other hand, Tiamzon – who also played her first game for the team – had nine points.
“We were trying to utilize yung mga bago natin and we wanted to give them playing time so ayun na nga, ginawa natin,” Yee added.
On the other hand, Marciano dropped 19 points for BaliPure along with 10 excellent digs. Geneveve Casugod chipped in nine.
Petro Gazz will take on PLDT next on Monday at 3:00 PM. Meanwhile, BaliPure will face Creamline later that day at 6:00 PM.
