Petro Gazz forged a fourth title showdown with Creamline in the last seven Premier Volleyball League conferences, advancing to the finals with a smashing 25-17, 25-23, 25-15 victory over PLDT in their sudden death for the other championship berth at SM Mall of Asia Arena on Thursday.
A fiery run midway in the opening frame, a courageous escape in a back-and-forth second set and a dominant closeout completed the Angels’ mastery of the High Speed Hitters, who succumbed to their rivals’ sustained firepower, baffling quick attacks and superb blocking.
Remy Palma then took over in the third, racking up three straight points to key Petro Gazz’s big 11-5 start before the Angels pulled away at 20-9 on their way to winning their best-of-three semis matchup.
Petro Gazz repelled PLDT, 22-25, 25-19, 25-21, 25-18, in Game One but the High Speed Hitters battled back from a set down in Game 2 and fashioned out a 14-25, 25-23, 25-14, 25-15 win to force a decider.
An emotional Jonah Sabete let it all out after steering the Angels to another finals appearance in the league organized by Sports Vision.
“Sobrang happy, kasi ito talaga ung gusto namin,” said Sabete, who lacks in ceiling but packs with so much power on top her leaping ability to help lead another Petro Gazz assault with 13 points.
“Pagod at sakripisyo, nakuha talaga namin at napatunayan namin na kaya ng Petro Gazz,” added the Bulacan State U product, who also finished with six excellent digs.
But waiting in the wings is powerhouse Creamline, which swept F2 Logistics in their side of the Final Four last Tuesday.
Game One of the best-of-three finals is set at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday with the Cool Smashers looking for a sixth championship and the Angels seeking their third and a second straight crown after topping the Reinforced Conference last December.
Creamline beat Petro Gazz in last year’s Open Conference.
Phillips topscored with 15 points while Grethcel Soltones fired 12 hits while providing the leadership and Palma and Pontillas added nine and seven points, respectively.
Jovie Prado and Dell Palomate carried the fight for PLDT with 10 points apiece while Mika Reyes scored seven points and Michelle Morente settled for a six-point effort and Mendrez struggled and wound up with four markers.
