Games today:
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
4 p.m. — Petro Gazz vs Akari
6:30 p.m. — Creamline vs Choco Mucho
Petro Gazz aims to become the first team to advance to the finals when it collides with Akari in the semifinals of the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Opening serve is set at 4 p.m. with the Angels itching to book a return trip to the best-of-three finals series after scoring impressive victories over Creamline and Choco Mucho in the early stage of the Last Four.
In the 6:30 p.m. main event, Creamline will be riding the crest of its morale-boosting win over Akari to secure the other finals berth against sister team Choco Mucho.
But all eyes remain on the Angels, who dominated the double round-robin preliminaries with a stellar 10-game winning streak. However, they stumbled slightly in the quarterfinals, needing to recover from a one-game deficit to repulse the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles in a do-or-die best-of-three series.
Leading the Angels’ surge is Brooke Van Sickle, whose offensive brilliance is complemented by her defensive prowess. The Filipino-American standout showcased her all-around game with a rare triple-double performance — 17 points, 12 excellent digs, and 22 excellent receptions — in their 24-26, 25-18, 25-17, 27-25 victory over Choco Mucho.
“Yes, today was another tough game. Choco Mucho is a strong team, but I think everyone would agree that this was one of our best performances. Everyone played well, and I also appreciate Choco Mucho’s effort,” Petro Gazz head coach Koji Tsuzurabara said.
But the Angels should not count Akari out.
Despite bowing to Creamline via a straight-set decision last Tuesday, Chargers are still in contention with a 1-1 semis record. A win over the Angels would keep their finals hopes alive and could lead to a potential three-way tie at 2-1, depending on the outcome of the second match between Creamline and Choco Mucho.
“Akari is also a strong team. We will do our best,” Tsuzurabara, whose side is itching to make a finals return since that heartbreaking finale in 2023 at the Mall of Asia Arena, added.
Petro Gazz will rely on the consistent playmaking of veteran setters Chie Saet and Djanel Cheng, whose ability to activate their wing spikers and middle blockers has been a key factor in their success.
The explosive scoring of Brooke Van Sickle, who posted 26 and 17 points in their last two wins, along with steady contributions from Myla Pablo, Jonah Sabete and MJ Philips, will also be vital for the Angels.
Meanwhile, Akari will lean on the offensive firepower of Eli Soyud, Ivy Lacsina and Faith Nisperos, complemented by the steady playmaking of setter-captain Michelle Cobb as they fight to extend their campaign.
Also looking to extend its string of finals appearances is Creamline.
“There is no need to put pressure on the team,” Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses, downplaying their willingness to advance to the final round.
“We just need to focus on addressing our lapses from the last game. Regardless of the outcome, what’s important is that we identified those areas and worked to improve them.”
“The mindset is to return to training tomorrow and watch the games today to prepare.”