Petro Gazz’s hard-fought victory over an upstart ZUS Coffee squad in sudden death to clinch the fourth and last Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference semifinal berth was more than just redemption – it was a triumph of resilience, experience and sheer determination.
While many expected the seasoned Angels to cruise past the young and hungry Thunderbelles, the quarterfinal series turned into a grueling test, ultimately proving the value of a veteran presence. At the heart of Petro Gazz’s resurgence was Chie Saet, the 40-year-old setter who, given the opportunity, delivered back-to-back stellar performances to lift her team from a 0-1 deficit to a 2-1 series win.
In short, Saet was the game-changer.
“I’m really happy to be back inside the court and given this chance by Coach Koji (Tsuzurabara),” said Saet in Filipino. “I embraced the responsibility – to take over, to distribute the ball well, and to lead my teammates.”
With Saet orchestrating the Angels’ offense, Petro Gazz rebounded from a stunning Game One defeat, dominating Game Two with a commanding 25-19, 25-13, 28-26 victory. She registered 18 excellent sets and added three points, keeping the team’s attack fluid against the Thunderbelles’ tenacious defense.
In the sudden-death, Petro Gazz showed nerves of steel, completing the comeback with a 25-21, 25-19, 25-23 win to join the Creamline Cool Smashers, Choco Mucho Flying Titans and Akari Chargers in the Final Four. Saet stepped up even more, delivering 20 excellent sets and five points, including a couple of well-timed 1-2 plays that underscored her elite playmaking ability.
While Petro Gazz celebrated its hard-earned semis berth, ZUS Coffee walked away with heads held high. The Thunderbelles have come of age – fast. Once a struggling squad that endured a brutal 20-game losing streak in its first two PVL seasons, they not only secured their first-ever franchise win this year but also made history by reaching the quarterfinals and pushing a powerhouse to the brink of elimination.
For Brooke Van Sickle, the 2024 AFC MVP and Petro Gazz’s key leader, the series against ZUS Coffee was both physically demanding and mentally exhausting.
“ZUS is a fantastic team. Every conference, they just keep getting better, and it’s really cool to see,” said Van Sickle. “I keep saying this – they are one of the better teams on defense. They’re scrappy, they never give up on the ball and their defensive attitude is inspiring.”
The Thunderbelles’ relentless floor coverage forced Petro Gazz to work for every point.
“As a hitter, it’s tough playing against them because you know they’re going to dig everything up and just keep the rally going,” added Van Sickle. “It’s stressful, but it’s also great for the league.”
For the Angels, their Game One loss was a sobering reminder that past success guarantees nothing. Their dominant 10-game winning streak in the preliminaries became a distant memory, and they had to dig deep to keep their title hopes alive.
For Saet, this playoff run is particularly meaningful. As the only major PVL title missing from Petro Gazz’s collection, the All-Filipino Conference crown has become a personal mission for the veteran setter – one she hopes to accomplish before she hangs up her jersey.
“As the team’s ‘ate,’ this is the only conference where we haven’t won a championship,” said Saet. “I want to win this title, and I want to be remembered for giving my best in every game before I retire.”
With the semifinals now set, Saet is ready to continue steering Petro Gazz toward its ultimate goal – one precise set, one smart play, and one win at a time.
