Petro Gazz got back at ZUS Coffee with a 25-19, 25-13, 28-26 win on Saturday to force a do-or-die match in their quarterfinal best-of-three series of the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Ynares Center in Antipolo Center.
The rubber match is set Tuesday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
Returning from an injury, Jonah Sabete made an immediate impact for Petro Gazz.
The trio of Chie Saet, Remy Palma, and Brooke Van Sickle orchestrated a series of successful combination plays that left ZUS Coffee struggling to keep up in the opening set.
MJ Phillips anchored Petro Gazz’s defense with a towering blocks, while Van Sickle took charge in the second set, sparking a scoring run that extended the Angels’ momentum.
Despite Chinnie Arroyo’s efforts to rally ZUS Coffee, Petro Gazz’s defensive wall proved impenetrable.
The Thunderbelles showed signs of life in the third set with Thea Gagate’s quick attacks, but the Angels kept their poise. The match ultimately ended in Petro Gazz’s favor after a costly error from ZUS Coffee sealed the Thunderbelles’ fate.
Sabete expressed her relief and gratitude following her successful return to action.
“Honestly, I’m happy to be back, but the pressure is still there. I just remind myself that many people believe in me,” she said.
Van Sickle, who scored 17 points from 15 attacks, expressed her frustration while reflecting on their early defeat against ZUS Coffee last Tuesday.
“It sucked. No one likes losing. We were frustrated as a team because we knew that wasn’t our usual game. Our energy was just low.”
However, after a sweeping comeback, the birthday girl is now focused on the tasks ahead.
“The game’s done; we need to focus on the next one. Everyone had a great performance today,” Van Sickle concluded.
Apart from Van Sickles’ offensive contributions, Myla Pablo, Phillips, and Sabete each added 11 points for Petro Gazz.
Meanwhile, ZUS Coffee leaned on Arroyo’s 10 points, with Clo Mondoñedo and Gagate adding eight points apiece.