With Wilma Salas unleashing her full strength, Petro Gazz’s resurgence continued, outlasting PLDT, 22-25, 25-19, 23-25, 25-19, 16-14, for its third straight win in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, Saturday.
The Cuban import unloaded 40 big points on 36 attacks, three blocks, and an ace while also proving steady in defense with 21 excellent receptions.
Helping her was last conference’s Most Valuable Player Brooke Van Sickle with 32 points on 27 spikes, three aces, and two blocks to go with 10 digs.
“My personal motivation is the team because when we go to the court, we don’t think about winning or losing but staying together. I think this is the power of Petro Gazz,” said Salas, who tallied the fifth-highest scoring game in PVL history.
“Yung past two games namin that we won five sets speak highly of the attitude of the girls. It’s a big deal for us,” added assistant coach Stephen Patrona, recalling their win of the same fashion against Creamline last Tuesday.
The Angels’ bid for a quarterfinals spot earned a huge boost as they are now tied with the Capital1 Solar Spikers for sixth to seventh places at 4-3 but hold the tiebreaker due to superior match points (11-10).
Kiesha Bedonia was the spark off the bench for PLDT, lifting them in the fifth with back-to-back hits late to save two Petro Gazz match points and tie the game at 14.
However, the unstoppable duo of the Angels came clutch with Salas hitting a kill from the backrow before Van Sickle drilled a crosscourt hit for the win in two hours and 35 minutes.
(C) PVL Images
It was also Salas and Van Sickle who teamed up in the fourth to break away from a tight 16-15 lead on the way to a 25-19 to force a decider.
Aiza Pontillas also chipped in 12 points for the defending champions.
Petro Gazz looks to seal its place in the playoffs on Thursday against Chery Tiggo at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Meanwhile, the quarters-bound High Speed Hitters saw their two-game winning run snapped to fall to 5-2, still at solo third.
(C) PVL Images
Russian import Lena Samoilenko led the way with 25 points and seven receptions while Erika Santos chimed in 18 points.
The quartet of Mika Reyes, Majoy Baron, Fiola Ceballos, and Bedonia also contributed eight points apiece in the defeat.
PLDT will close its prelims schedule against Choco Mucho on Thursday as well.
