Petro Gazz downs Cignal to force decider for PVL finals berth
MANILA---The Petro Gazz Angels handed the Cignal HD Spikers their very first loss of the tournament, hacking out a thrilling 25-22, 21-25, 22-25, 26-24, 18-16 victory to force a rubbermatch for the last finals berth in the 2022 Premier Volleyball League Open Conference on Sunday night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Myla Pablo came up big when her team needed her the most, coming up with a hit to force a 24-all deadlock in the fourth set, before producing a block later on to send the match to a deciding fifth set.
In the fifth, both teams traded points most of the way, but the Angels took command at 10-8 before the HD Spikers rallied and took six of the next eight points to move at match point, 14-12.
How ever, Ai za Pontillas and Palma delivered two clutch hits to extend the match and after another exchange of hits in a gane that boiled down to a duel of nerves, Chie Saet scored on a 1-2 play to break a 16-all count and Pablo hammered another killer hit through two Cignal defenders as the Angels lived for another day to stay in the finals hunt.
"Ayun, i-press lang natin sila and kumbaga, mag e-error din 'yan, bibigay din 'yan, mawawalan din ng composure 'yan so kapit kapit lang kami," said Angels head coach Jerry Yee on what he told her players in the final stretch of the deci d er.
Myla Pablo, who played sparingly in Petro Gazz's previous outings, dropped 18 points as a starter built on 16 attacks, a block, and an ace.
Maizo-Pontillas provided 14 points and eight receptions while Grethcel Soltones also produced 14 to go with 18 excellent digs. Palma added 11 points.
Chie Saet dished 36 excellent sets and scored four points to power the Angels' offense. Meanwhile, Pineda and Cienne
Cruz had 18 excellent digs and 13 excellent receptions, respectively.
Meanwhile, in the other semifinals showdown, the Creamline Cool Smashers advanced to the finals with a 2325, 25-19, 25-18, 25-15 victory over the Choco Mucho Flying Titans.
Tots Carlos led Creamline's offense with 23 points, including 19 attacks, while Jema Galanza had 16 attacks and produced 18 points. Skipper Alyssa Valdez backed them up with a solid 17-hit effort.
Jeanette "Pangs" Panaga added 10 points, making her presence felt at the end of the fourth set where she pumped in back-to-back attacks that likewise exposed the Flying Titans' inability to respond to the Cool Smashers' quick plays. ( JNP)