ON FIRE: Petro Gazz puts away gutsy Galeries Tower
‘Our mindset even before the start of the game is to win this game. But we also know that it won’t be easy scoring a win in this game.’
Myla Pablo powers Petro Gazz to a 25-18, 25-18, 25-22 win over Galeries Tower on Saturday in their PVL All-Filipino Conference match at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF PVL
Petro Gazz overcame a tough challenge put up by Galeries Tower in the third set to wrap a straight sets decision, 25-18, 25-18, 25-22, and extend its win streak to eight in the 2024-2025 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference Saturday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Myla Pablo took matters into her own hands in the closing stretch of the last frame, hammering back-to-back kills to halt the Highrisers’ last-ditched attempt to steal a set as the Angels improved to a 9-1 win-loss record.
Petro Gazz will close its preliminary round campaign against Nxled on Thursday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Pablo submitted 17 points built on 13 attacks including the finishing blows when Galeries Towers closed in within one, three aces and a kill block. The veteran winger added eight digs for an all-around performance for the Angels.
“Our mindset even before the start of the game is to win this game. But we also know that it won’t be easy scoring a win in this game,” Pablo said.
“Kudos to Galeries for the tough fight they put up against us.”
Reigning conference Most Valuable Player Brooke Van Sickles displayed her defensive prowess at the net, scoring four kill blocks in her 15-point production while Aiza Maizo-Pontillas added 12 points for the Angels.
Petro Gazz fired 48 kills, 12 more than the total attacks of Galeries Tower, which absorbed its fifth straight defeat.
The Angels dominated the first two sets but encountered heavy resistance from the Highrisers in the third.
It was a neck-and-neck battle until midway of the frame with Petro Gazz shattering a 15-15 deadlock with three straight points.
Van Sickle and Pontillas scored timely hits before reliever Ethan Arce scored off a Highrisers overreception to push the Angels’ lead to 23-18.
Jho Maraguinot sparked a 4-0 fightback by Galeries Tower to close in, 23-22, after Pablo smashed her attack long. Petro Gazz sued for time before Pablo made up for her earlier mistake with the final nails on the coffin of the Highrisers.
Maraguinot was the lone bright spark for Galeries Tower, which slid to a 1-9 slate tied with Capital1 and Nxled at the bottom three, finishing with 12 points.
Ysa Jimenez had seven points while France Ronquillo and Roselle Baliton added six each for the Highrisers.