ILOCOS NORTE - Petro Gazz endured a long wait and bucked Black Mamba-Army's fightback as it pulled off a 25-19, 22-25, 25-20, 25-21 decision Sunday evening to join Chery Tiggo in the early lead in the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference at the PCV Socia-Civic Cultural Center here.
A couple of delays due to bad weather that rendered some spots on the court slippery marred the second playdate of the inaugural pro volley staging with the Lady Troopers, behind their seasoned crew made up of Nene Bautista, Jovelyn Gonzaga, and Royse Tubino, bouncing back from a set down and a 1-4 deficit at resumption to steal the second frame.
But the Angels regrouped with Ces Molina coming off the bench to preside their third set attack together with Grethcel Soltones while Ria Meneses imposed her will on the net to anchor the team's defense for the lead.
There was no stopping Petro Gazz in the fourth as the Angels took control midway through then held off the rallying Lady Troopers, who threatened to within, 20-21, on a three-point roll behind veteran Joanne Bu?ag.
But an Army miscue on the next play enabled Petro Gazz to go on a two-point cushion and after Soltones and Bu?ag traded hits, the Angels rolled to victory on Tubino's back-to-back spiking errors, the first ending the game's longest rally and the other ending the Lady Troopers' hopes for a comeback.
Meanwhile, Chery Tiggo tries to ride the momentum of its big debut in the Premier Volleyball League pro launch Saturday as it shoots for the early solo lead against Cignal HD at the resumption of the Open Conference at the PCV Socio-Civic Cultural Center in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte today (Monday).
With Dindin Manabat and sister Jaja Santiago leading the attack, the Crossovers shut down the PLDT Home Fibr Power Hitters on their way to a 25-20, 25-17, 25-6 romp that underscored Chery Tiggo's stern desire to contend for the crown and the bragging rights as the champion of the country's first pro volley league.
But the HD Spikers are also out to kick off their campaign on a positive note on a team anchored on veteran Rachel Ann Daquis and backed by a slew of gritty players ready to step up, including Arielle Estranero, Mae Vivas, Klarissa Abriam, Rose Dorian ad Angelique Dionela, among others.
That makes their 6 p.m. clash a match to watch although observers note the HD Spikers will have to double their effort to neutralize the Crossovers' edge in firepower.
Sta. Lucia and PLDT, meanwhile, collide in a duel of opening day losers at 3 p.m., each team raring to bounce back and fuel their respective bids in the bubble tournament held under strict health and safety protocols during the pandemic.
The 10-team tournament will be played in a single round-robin elims with the top four clashing in a pair of best-of-three semis. The winners will dispute the crown.
