Petro Gazz, ZUS dispute semis slot

Games today:

(Philsports Arena)

6:00 p.m. — ZUS Coffee vs Petro Gazz

The stage is set for a do-or-die clash as Petro Gazz and ZUS Coffee face off in a decisive Game 3 aimed at securing a semifinal berth in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference quarterfinals on Tuesday at the Philsports Arena.

After suffering a humbling straight-sets defeat in Game 1, the Angels bounced back in dominant fashion, dismantling the Thunderbelles with a 25-19, 25-13, 28-26 victory last Saturday at the Ynares Center.

Petro Gazz successfully nullified ZUS Coffee’s momentum from its stunning shutout victory in the opener of the best-of-three series, responding with a resounding statement in the following game.

MJ Phillips set the tone with quick attacks, while Brooke Van Sickle spearheaded the offensive onslaught, with key contributions from Myla Pablo and Jonah Sabete.

The Angels will need to replicate, if not surpass, that performance to overcome the Thunderbelles in their final showdown.

“As an athlete, this is where we want to be. We want to play in high-stakes, intense matches,” said reigning MVP Van Sickle.

“Good teams in the PVL handle pressure well. They stay composed and lethal while embracing the challenge. That’s what I want to push my team to do in Game 3.”

Sabete, who made a triumphant return from injury, played a crucial role in Game 2, delivering 11 points, including decisive kills.

“After Game 1, Coach Koji (Tsuzurabara) asked me, ‘Can you play at 100 percent?’ I told him I’d do my best,” Sabete said.

“We only had one day to prepare for Game 2, so the pressure was high, but I just focused on helping the team.”

For ZUS Coffee, only Chinnie Arroyo managed to breach double figures in Game 2. The likes of Chai Troncoso, Thea Gagate, Jovelyn Gonzaga and Michelle Gamit must step up if they hope to clinch the last semifinal slot.

Petro Gazz, a two-time Reinforced Conference champion, showed its championship pedigree in Game 2 by dominating on both offense and defense.

“We are challengers, but in the next game, we will finish the job,” said head coach Koji Tsuzurabara.

“We are ranked number two.”

With the series now tied, both teams are expected to go all out in the decisive Game 3 at Philsports Arena. A ticket to the semifinals is on the line, and only one team will emerge victorious.