Struggling to find her rhythm early on, Brooke Van Sickle came alive when it mattered most, delivering seven of her 10 points in the decisive fifth set as Petro Gazz staged a stunning reverse sweep over Chery Tiggo, 20-25, 20-25, 25-23, 25-15, 15-7, in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the PhilSports Arena on Tuesday.
Van Sickle's masterful performance in Set 5 began with an unstoppable flurry, pouring in the team’s first six points through a dazzling array of shots. Her offensive firepower left the Crossovers scrambling to stay in the rally, only to succumb to frustration as the Angels capitalized on their miscues.
The emphatic win also marked a strong finish to Petro Gazz’s 2024 campaign, which included a straight-set triumph over the previously unbeaten Cignal HD Spikers.
The match was a tale of redemption for Petro Gazz, which reversed roles from Chery Tiggo’s own reverse-sweep win against Galeries Tower Highrisers last December. The Angels improved to a 6-1 (win-loss), firming up their hold on the top spot, followed by the Cignal HD Spikers (5-1) and the unbeaten Creamline Cool Smashers (5-0).
Van Sickle initially struggled, managing just three points in the first three sets as she worked to regain her rhythm and confidence following a minor knee surgery last December.
But as the game progressed, her teammates stepped up to keep the team in contention. Myla Pablo, in particular, shone during the pivotal third set, ensuring a narrow win that extended the match.
Regaining their composure, the Angels surged ahead in the fourth set with a decisive 7-0 run, followed by another four-point blitz that firmly shifted momentum in their favor.
By the fifth set, Van Sickle took command, firing back-to-back vicious kills to give Petro Gazz an early lead. Even when Chery Tiggo briefly cut the deficit to 6-10, the Angels responded with a relentless hitting spree, aided by Ara Galang’s hitting error that sealed the thrilling two-hour, 20-minute showdown.
Pablo earned Best Player of the Game honors with a stellar all-around performance, tallying 15 kills and three blocks. Despite sharing the spotlight with her teammates, Pablo credited teamwork for their comeback:
"Despite trailing by two sets, the coaches kept reminding us that we still had chances in the next sets. I just played for the team, knowing my coaches and teammates needed me. We all worked together, and that made a huge difference for me," she said in Filipino.
Veteran Aiza Maizo-Pontillas also scored 18 points, while Nicole Tiamzon contributed 11 markers. Joy Dacoron and MJ Phillips chipped in seven points apiece, solidifying Petro Gazz's collective effort.
Chery Tiggo, on the other hand, saw middle blocker Cza Carandang emerge as its top scorer with 13 points, followed by Pauline Gaston’s 12 and Jasmine Nabor’s 10. Aby Maraño and Princess Robles combined for 17 points, though Robles was benched in the fifth set after contributing eight points.
The Crossovers' struggles in the final set were evident as they faltered both offensively and defensively. A long rally capped by Nabor’s lone fifth-set point briefly offered hope, but Petro Gazz’s well-oiled attack, punctuated by Van Sickle’s brilliance, left no room for a comeback.
