Petro Gazz showcased its superior firepower, rock-solid defense and wealth of experience to scuttle Capital1, 25-19, 25-23, 25-20, and secure the third quarterfinal berth in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena on Saturday.
Despite a determined stand by the Solar Spikers, the Angels flashed their championship mettle, shrugging off occasional lapses to extend their winning streak to 10 games – the longest in this conference, surpassing Creamline’s previous best of nine straight wins at the start of the tournament, further solidifying their dominance.
With the victory, Petro Gazz joined fellow quarterfinalists Creamline and Galeries Tower, reinforcing its status as one of the league’s elite teams.
Myla Pablo continued to showcase her top form, delivering 17 points while teaming up with Brooke Van Sickle, MJ Phillips and Aiza Pontillas to power the Angels past the Solar Spikers. Petro Gazz dominated in attacks, 48-37, and controlled the net with nine blocks compared to their opponents' three.
Despite an erratic performance that saw them give away 21 free points, the Angels capitalized on their opponents’ mistakes, scoring 15 points off Capital1’s unforced errors.
"This is for the team – I need to play the way I’m supposed to. But I’m grateful to the coaches and my teammates for their trust," said Pablo in Filipino, who struggled early in the tournament but gradually regained her rhythm, emerging as one of Petro Gazz’s most reliable scorers.
"I know I’ve been through a lot, but I also know I can get back to the player I used to be. I’m just really thankful to everyone who continues to believe in me," she added.
Van Sickle led the charge for Petro Gazz with 19 points, further highlighting her stellar all-around performance with nine excellent digs and 14 receptions. Middle blocker Phillips contributed 12 points, while Pontillas added nine to bolster the Angels' offensive firepower.
Meanwhile, Leila Cruz paced Capital1 with 16 points, while Jorelle Singh chipped in 10. However, the duo struggled to draw ample support from their teammates, as Des Clemente-De Guzman managed just five points, Trisha Genesis added four, and both Heather Guino-o and Norielle Ipac finished with only three apiece.
Pushed to the limit by the hard-fighting Solar Spikers in the first two sets, the Angels looked ready to dominate in the third, surging to a commanding 16-10 lead.
However, the Solar Spikers showed resilience, refusing to back down as they clawed their way back to within striking distance, 20-23, following a De Guzman putaway off a Petro Gazz overpass.
But just as Capital1 gained momentum, Cruz served into the net, drawing visible frustration from coach Roger Gorayeb. Though Guino-o managed to save a match point for the Solar Spikers, Ethan Lainne Arce ultimately sealed the one-hour, 29-minute contest with a decisive off-the-block hit against two defenders.
With the loss, Capital1 now heads to the play-in tournament alongside Cignal and Nxled. The final two quarterfinal berths will be decided on Tuesday, with Akari facing Farm Fresh and No. 3 seed PLDT taking on ZUS Coffee.
The losing teams from those matchups will join Cignal, Nxled and Capital1 in the two-pool play-in tournament, which will feature a single round-robin format. The top teams from each pool will claim the last two spots in the quarterfinals.
While Capital1 held its ground, particularly in the second set where they led 18-16, they ultimately lacked the finishing touch against a battle-hardened Petro Gazz squad. The Angels’ ability to handle pressure proved decisive, turning a late deficit into a set-clinching run.
Calling for a timeout after the Solar Spikers squandered an 18-16 lead in the second frame and fell behind by three, Gorayeb did not hold back his frustration.
"Why can't you receive properly in the endgame?" he asked in Filipino, exasperated. "We were up by two points, and then they scored everything after that."
After Pablo’s crosscourt hit brought Petro Gazz to set point at 24-21, Capital1 momentarily fought back, saving two set points through a Cruz check ball and a Pablo attack error. However, veteran setter Djanel Cheng confidently went back to Pontillas, who, after getting blocked on her first attempt, powered through on the next to secure a commanding 2-0 lead.
Petro Gazz’s defense, anchored on disciplined blocking and seamless floor coverage, stifled Capital1’s offensive attempts. The Angels recorded seven blocks to Capital1’s single rejection in the opening frame, underscoring their defensive edge.
More importantly, their experience – honed by five championship appearances, including two Reinforced Conference titles – allowed them to execute with precision when it mattered most.
In contrast, Capital1 struggled with composure in crunch time, unable to sustain their momentum against the relentless pressure from the Angels.
Despite flashes of brilliance, Capital1 remains a work in progress, showing the potential to compete but needing more composure and nerve to close out sets against powerhouse teams.
For now, Petro Gazz marches on – battle-tested, well-rounded, and looking every bit the championship contender.
