Defending champion Petro Gazz came to its senses and shot down the streaking Creamline in five sets, 25-23, 25-19, 20-25, 23-25, 15-12, in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference on Tuesday at the Philsports Arena.
The 1-2 punch of Wilma Salas and Brooke Van Sickle did most of the damage for the Angels, who ended the Cool Smashers’ four-game winning streak.
This victory improved their win-loss record to 3-3 and increased their chances of making the quarterfinals.
Salas fired 33 points along with 17 excellent digs, while Van Sickle registered 24 points and 18 excellent receptions in the two-hour, 32-minute encounter.
They combined for 142 of Petro Gazz’s 217 attack attempts.
“I’m so happy that we won this game – a difficult game because Creamline is a very good team. Every time, I say if you’re training good, you do good play. I think this is the point every day with the coaches and the girls for motivation to move up,” said Salas.
Ahead by a solitary point late in the final set, Salas hammered down back-to-back attacks to give Petro Gazz a 14-11 advantage.
Erica Staunton tried to will Creamline back with a down-the-line hit, but it was not enough. Salas then pierced through the Rebisco-backed squad’s blockers for the game-winning attack.
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“I appreciate the Creamline team. It was a good game. Today my team, everyone, all 14 players did their best performance. After the interview, I want to hug my players,” said Japanese coach Koji Tsuzurabara.
Aiza Maizo-Pontillas contributed eight markers, while middle blockers Remy Palma and Ethan Arce each had five markers for the Angels.
Veteran playmaker Chie Saet glued things together, registering 18 excellent sets to go along with three points, while Jellie Tempiatura tallied 19 excellent digs in the victory.
Petro Gazz had won the first two sets, then dropped the next two before clinching the match in the fifth.
Petro Gazz will try to strengthen its quarterfinal bid against PLDT on Saturday at 3:00 PM at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Creamline, meanwhile, suffered its second loss of the tournament, sliding to 4-2 in the rankings.
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Staunton paced the Cool Smashers with 30 points on 27 attacks, two aces, and one block.
Bernadeth Pons added 17 markers, 19 excellent digs, and 26 excellent receptions, while Michele Gumabao chipped in 13 points.
Creamline will face sister squad Choco Mucho on Saturday at 5:00 PM.
