Petro Gazz ended Creamline’s reign with a commanding 25-21, 25-16, 23-25, 25-19 victory in Game 3 of the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) 2024-2025 All-Filipino Conference Finals on Saturday night at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
It was a historic moment for the Angels as they clinched their first-ever All-Filipino Conference title — and their third overall PVL crown — after falling short against the Cool Smashers in 2023 Conference Finals.
Led by back-to-back Most Valuable Player Brooke Van Sickle, Petro Gazz turned in a dominant performance. Van Sickle delivered 21 points off 17 attacks, two blocks, and two aces to steer the Angels to the championship in her debut finals series.
“Our mindset was that we just had to push,” Van Sickle said after scoring 21 points from 17 kills, two blocks, and two aces.
“You can’t let up against Creamline — they’re the kind of team that just keeps coming at you no matter what the score is. You saw that in the third set. In the fourth, we just kept reminding each other to stay calm, stay together, and keep trying our hardest. I’m very, very proud. I still can’t believe this happened.”
The Angels stormed to early control, winning the first two sets with efficient defense and strong net presence. But Creamline showed its championship pedigree in the third.
Behind Lorie Bernardo’s back-to-back kills, the Cool Smashers erased a four-point deficit and took the lead, 19-17. Jema Galanza and Bernadeth Pons then connected to push Creamline to set point, with Pons eventually sealing it, 25-23, to extend the match.
In the fourth, both teams went toe-to-toe until a 5-1 Petro Gazz run broke an 18-all deadlock. Van Sickle’s off-the-block hit gave the Angels match point, and Sabete delivered the final blow with a thunderous kill to seal the title.
Jonah Sabete and Finals MVP MJ Phillips backed up Van Sickle’s effort with 16 and 15 points, respectively, to cap off a well-rounded performance for Petro Gazz.
With the win, the Angels not only ended the Cool Smashers’ four-conference All-Filipino dominance but also marked the beginning of a new era for the franchise.
“This championship means everything to us,” Van Sickle said.
“We’ve worked so hard, and to see it pay off like this, it’s just incredible.”
Petro Gazz new additions — Van Sickle and Japanese head coach Koji Tsuzurabara — proved to be the difference-makers since joining the team last year.
On the other side, Pons led Creamline with 17 points, while Galanza had 15. Pangs Panaga added 11 and Bernardo chipped in 8, including crucial hits in their third-set comeback.