In a battle that will be remembered for its grit and determination, the Petro Gazz Angels found themselves at a crossroads in their 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference semifinals matchup against Choco Mucho.
Down by as much as 15-21 in the fourth set, with the Flying Titans on the cusp of victory, the Angels mounted a courageous comeback. At the heart of their fight was Myla Pablo, who, despite facing personal setbacks, made sure that her team wouldn't falter at the final hurdle.
Trailing by a set after losing the first frame to Choco Mucho, Petro Gazz had fought back to claim the second and third sets. However, they found themselves on the edge of elimination in the fourth set. With the score at 15-21, the Angels appeared to be on the verge of another heartbreak. But the steady leadership of Aiza Maizo-Pontillas and Ranya Musa sparked a shift in momentum, as Petro Gazz mounted an impressive rally.
It was Djanel Cheng who played a pivotal role in this surge, delivering back-to-back aces that swung the score in favor of the Angels, 23-21.
With a chance to close out the set and force a deciding fifth frame, the Angels reached match point at 24-22, only for Royse Tubino to respond with two consecutive points, including a crucial block on Pablo.
The block echoed an all-too-familiar feeling, reminiscent of Petro Gazz’s shocking loss to ZUS Coffee just a week earlier in their best-of-three quarterfinals series.
That loss, in which the Angels were defeated in straight sets, had left the team with a bitter taste. In the final moments of that game, Pablo was directly involved in the sequence of events that led to Petro Gazz’s downfall.
With the Angels leading 25-24 in the third set, a green card was issued to Pablo after she admitted that a hit by Jovelyn Gonzaga had grazed her fingers, allowing the game to be tied at 25.
From there, Pablo’s attack went wide, and Gonzaga blocked her crosscourt spike to seal the victory for ZUS Coffee.
It was a painful memory, but it also served as fuel for Pablo, who refused to let history repeat itself. This time, when the Angels needed her most, the three-time MVP stepped up in the crunch moments.
"Actually, naging lesson learned sa akin yung crucial sa ZUS din. So parang sabi ko, ‘Ito nanaman ako, ako nanaman yung nasa harapan,’" Pablo shared with a determined look. "Kailangan talaga is makuha namin itong four sets, and then ayun nga, parang nag-usap-usap kami sa loob ng court na pagpapalo ako, i-cover ako. Yun yung naging maganda sa team namin, is nandoon yung tiwala ng bawat isa."
With the score tied at 25, Pablo stepped into the spotlight and delivered when it mattered. First, she hammered down a crucial down-the-line kill that pushed Petro Gazz into the lead.
And then, with the match hanging in the balance, she sealed the victory with a well-placed push shot that sailed past the blockers and landed squarely in the heart of Choco Mucho’s defense.
"Na-block ako ni ate Royse Tubino and sabi ko—humingi ako kay (Djanel) Cheng na 'Cheng, isa pa, babawi ako,’" Pablo recalled of the tense moments. "After that—yun din yung maganda kay Cheng, is ang laki ng tiwala niya samin as players, even kahit crucial na points."
Pablo finished with an impressive 13 points, eight of which were attacks, and five vital blocks. Additionally, she contributed nine excellent digs, demonstrating her all-around skills. Joining her in the spotlight was Brooke Van Sickle, who was exceptional in her own right, finishing with 17 points, 22 excellent receptions, and 12 digs. The dynamic duo’s combined effort propelled the Angels to a 26-24 win in the fourth set, giving them the momentum to push forward into the deciding match.
The victory not only lifted the Angels but also gave them a shot at advancing to the Finals. With three possible scenarios ahead, the Angels are now in a position to control their destiny.
Petro Gazz will face Akari in a crucial match at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Thursday.
A win against the Chargers will secure their spot in the Finals.
However, even if they lose, the Angels could still make it through, provided Creamline defeats Choco Mucho. In the event of a three-way tie, the Angels would emerge on top of the tiebreak system, ensuring their place in the postseason.
As they move forward, Petro Gazz’s resilience and teamwork have shown that they are a force to be reckoned with, and Myla Pablo, ever the leader, has proven that the lessons learned from past defeats only serve to fuel her drive for victory.
