In a match marked by a roller-coaster of momentum shifts in the second set, Petro Gazz blew away F2 Logistics with a searing start in the third and went on to essay a 25-22, 27-25, 25-14 victory and regain a shared view of the top in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference elims at the Santa Rosa Sports Complex in Laguna on Thursday.
The Angels rode on the crest of their big windup in the tense-filled frame, taking the first six points in the third and never giving the Cargo Movers a chance to recover as they built leads of as many as 23-13 on a Dzi Gervacio power hit against two F2 Logistics defenders to turn what had appeared to be a grueling drawn-out duel into a stroll at the finish.
That paved the way for the Angels’ notching their fourth consecutive win without dropping a set as they tied the Creamline Cool Smashers on top again while dropping the Cargo Movers to 2-2 in a tie with the Cignal HD Spikers.
Ranya Musa shone with an 11-point effort and clinched the game’s top honors, completely in awe of her superb game-long play that helped complete the Angels’ one-hour and 32-minute victory.
“I can’t believe this is happening. All I wanted was to be able to help and for the team to win,” said Musa in Filipino.
Coach Timmy Sto. Tomas, meanwhile, marked his return to Petro Gazz bench with another straight-set win, praising his wards’ resiliency and teamwork.
“I’m very happy for the girls who were able to hold their ground, especially in the second set,” he said. “We were up midway through but made some lapses. But they were able to catch up and lessen their errors.”
He also cited his veterans’ heads-up play and for keeping the team in sync, saying: “They were really able to hold the team together especially in the stretch when we needed to score the points most.”
Jonah Sabete played that role to the hilt, coming through with a couple of big blasts that spiked the Angels’ thrilling victory in the second set where momentum swung back and forth, particularly at endgame that led to extension.
Sabete also finished with 11 points while Remy Palma and Grethcel Soltones each made nine points while providing the veteran smarts and Aiza Pontillas added six markers for the Angels, who dominated with 46 attack points against their rivals’ 28.
Jolina dela Cruz topscored for F2 Logistics with 13 points as Ivy Lacsina struggledfor eight markers and Ara Galang wound up with six points.
