MJ Phillips rattled off four straight points to spike a decisive Petro Gazz run in the fifth set but the Angels needed two defensive gems to clinch a tough 25-14, 24-25, 25-13, 21-25, 15-9 decision over Chery Tiggo and take a step closer to the semifinal round of the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday.
The victory firmed up the Angels’ hold of the third spot at 4-2 although the 2019 champions still need to hurdle their last elims game against the winless Army Lady Troopers to join the Creamline Cool Smashers and the Crossovers in the Final Four.
Phillips scored on a soft hit to give Petro Gazz an 8-6 cushion then came through with back-to-back hits off her pet quick setup that sandwiched her block off Chery Tiggo import Jelena Cvijovic, putting the Angels at 11-7.
As Mylene Paat tried to rally the Crossovers with her booming kills, 9-12, Lindsey Vander Weide countered with her own blast then foiled the lefty Paat’s spike at center before Aiza Pontillas denied EJ Laure’s own bid at the left wing to seal the win for the Angels.
