Angels on verge of winning 3rd crown

Games tomorrow (MOA Arena) 4 p.m. – F2 vs PLDT / 6:30 p.m. – Petro Gazz vs Creamline Petro Gazz outplayed and outgunned a fancied Creamline side and carved out a shock 25-22, 24-26, 25-23, 26-24 victory last night to move on the verge of stealing the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference title at the MOA Arena. Jonah Sabete replicated her memorable semifinal performance, enduring cramps to punch out a superb 18-point game that led the Angels to the brink of a third title. Petro Gazz silenced the predominantly Creamline crowd with an impeccable net and floor defense coupled with an attack that beat the Cool Smashers. It was anti-climactic that the Angels won it on a successful challenge by Petro Gazz coach Oliver Almadro that saw Creamline setter Jia de Guzman touch the net. The Angels go for the jugular tomorrow. A decider, if necessary, is on Thursday. Earlier, F2 Logistics drew strength from its rock solid net defense as it repulsed PLDT, 20-25, 25-22, 25-18, 25-17, in the opener of the separate best-of-three series for third. Another win in the next game or in Game 3, if neccesary, would hand the Cargo Movers their best finish since joining the league two years ago. It was also F2’s defense that got the team going after a sluggish start. “First part nag-a-adjust pa kami,” said Maraño. “Nung nakapag warm up na ng maayos come second set, na feel ko na yung fire kaya for the go na.” Later, the whole team readily dedicated the triumph to its former mentor and now La Salle coach Ramil de Jesus, who watched from the sidelines and gave some words of wisdom from time to time. “He’s a big inspiration for all of us, we dedicate this to coach (De Jesus),” said Kianna Dy.