Jolted to their senses following a two-set meltdown, the Petro Gazz Angels regained footing just in time, turning back the Choco Mucho Flying Titans in five sets, 25-22, 25-15, 19-25, 20-25, 15-3, in the 2019 PVL Open Conference, Wednesday at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
“Malaking bagay ang naging composure namin sa fifth set. Mahirap din kalaban [ang Choco Mucho] kasi malalaki rin talaga, and they have legitimate percentage spiker na si [Kat] Tolentino,” Petro Gazz head coach Arnold Laniog said.
Fueled by a balanced offensive thrust, Petro Gazz caught fire in the rubber set, racing to a commanding 8-0 spread.
Though the Angels saw their dominant surge come to a halt with an error, Cai Baloaloa restored order as they continued pounding the Flying Titans.
After a series of miscues from Choco Mucho, Petro Gazz ballooned its lead to 10 at 13-3. Cherry Nunag and Prado then put up the finishing touches.
Jonah Sabete topped Petro Gazz with 15 points, leading five Angels in double figures. She also had 14 excellent receptions.
Nunag supplied 14 markers to compliment Sabete. Baloaloa and Prado contributed 11 points apiece, with the latter also collecting 14 excellent digs.
Jeannette Panaga netted six blocks en route to 10 points, while Paneng Mercado added five markers. Petro Gazz playmaker Djanel Cheng tossed 26 excellent sets as the Angels rose to a 4-2 card.
Tolentino erupted for 24 points built on 21 attacks, a pair of blocks and an ace. The former Ateneo Lady Eagle provided the momentum-swinging hits that helped Choco Mucho crawl back from the deficit, only to fall short in the decider.
The Flying Titans spiraled down to three consecutive losses, dropping to seventh with a 2-4 card.
Maddie Madayag chipped in seven attacks and four blocks for 11 markers. Arianna Angustia chimed in six points, while Carla Sandoval and Bang Pineda managed five markers each.
Petro Gazz look to stretch their streak to four when they face Motolite on Sunday, September 8. Meanwhile, Choco Mucho will try to arrest their skid against the struggling Air Force on Wednesday, September 11. Both matches will be played at the same venue.
