Petro Gazz fended off Farm Fresh’s challenge in the second set before cruising in the third, taking a 25-21, 31-29, 25-17 win in the return of the 2023 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference after a week-long break on Tuesday morning at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
The Angels got their second-straight win, improving to 2-1 in Pool B for solo third place, while sending the Foxies on the brink of elimination at 0-3.
“I’m happy with how my players performed today yun nga lang talagang yung first two sets namin 21 errors kaagad so I guess doon nakamaximize yung Farm Fresh with those errors. I’m happy naman nung third set naminimize na namin,” said Petro Gazz head coach Oliver Almadro, whose team gave up 30 free points to its foe.
With Farm Fresh threatening to take the extended second set, 29-28, the net defense of the Angels came into play as Aiza Maizo-Pontillas and KC Galdones had back-to-back blocks on Kate Santiago to reach set point, 30-29. Santiago’s attack in the ensuing play then sailed out.
The Foxies looked primed for a comeback, racing to a 6-2 lead, but they eventually ran out of gas as Petro Gazz turned the tables and established a huge 19-12 margin on the way to the win in one hour and 40 minutes.
Grethcel Soltones led the Angels with 16 points on 15 attacks, along with nine digs, while Pontillas contributed 15 points of her own with 13 spikes, a block, and an ace.
Cienne Cruz did her thing on the defensive end with 19 excellent receptions and 10 digs, while Nicole Tiamzon and Galdones were brilliant off the bench, scoring eight and six points, respectively.
Gayle Pascual was the lone Foxie in double figures with 11 points, accompanied by seven digs, while Santiago had seven points.
Up next for Petro Gazz is an undefeated F2 Logistics on Thursday at 12 p.m., while Farm Fresh will play for their life at 6:30 p.m. against Cignal.
