From the brink to the throne: The Angels’ unshakable rise

The Petro Gazz Angels completed a fiery redemption arc to reclaim the PVL Reinforced Conference crown, overcoming the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles in a one-game final on Dec. 1, 2025, at the Araneta Coliseum.

Their 21-25, 28-26, 25-23, 25-20 victory not only delivered their third Reinforced title in seven years but also punctuated a campaign fueled by resilience, chemistry, and timely heroics.

The win marked Petro Gazz’s second championship this calendar year, following their All-Filipino title. It also completed a remarkable turnaround after a rocky start that nearly derailed their season.

“This championship means really a lot to us, especially because we were really rocky in the beginning,” said Finals MVP MJ Phillips, who recovered from a quiet two-point opening set to finish with 17 points and Best Player of the Game honors.

Head coach Gary Van Sickle echoed her sentiments, crediting early adversity for building the team’s character.

“Earlier in the year, we were 3-3. Those battles helped us fight for this one,” he said.

Petro Gazz’s journey to the title was a gauntlet. A late elimination loss to Farm Fresh pushed them to the brink, but they responded with back-to-back wins over Capital1 and PLDT to clinch the fifth seed.

They then dethroned defending champion Creamline in the quarterfinals and escaped a five-set semifinal thriller against Akari before facing ZUS Coffee in the finals.

Against the Thunderbelles, the Angels initially stumbled, losing the first set and showing signs of nerves.

“We started off a little slow… but the girls kept focused, stayed together,” said Van Sickle. “Once we got the lead, I think they started feeling the pressure.”

With key pieces like Lindsey Vander Weide returning from injury, and Conference MVP Brooke Van Sickle continuing her standout form, the Angels powered through with balanced scoring and composed execution.

“It doesn’t matter how you start, it matters how you finish,” said Van Sickle. “This team had grit. We locked in when it mattered.”

Van Sickle finished with 20 points, while Vander Weide led all scorers with 23. Myla Pablo added 14 markers, including the title-clinching spike in the fourth set.

The decisive play began with a steady dig from Bangs Pineda, a calm set from rookie Jules Tolentino, and Pablo’s thunderous finish into an open Zone 5 – a sequence that symbolized the poise and chemistry Petro Gazz developed over the season.

“It’s a blessing that we had Lindsey able to come back and play. I think our chemistry really played into us winning today,” said Phillips.

Tolentino also stepped up, tallying 20 excellent sets and showing maturity beyond her years.

“I’m very thankful sa mga ates and coaches ko. They guided me all throughout,” she said.

Her crucial decisions in crunch time, particularly setting Phillips late, proved decisive.

Statistically, the Angels outperformed the Thunderbelles in every scoring category – leading in attacks (69-57), blocks (13-10), and aces (3-2) – and overcame 25 unforced errors through sheer offensive firepower.

ZUS Coffee, despite the loss, had much to celebrate. Import Anna DeBeer secured the Best Foreign Guest Player award and powered the team’s Cinderella run to their first finals appearance.

However, DeBeer was limited to 18 points in the finale as the Angels adjusted defensively. AC Miner added 16, Thea Gagate scored 11, and Jovelyn Gonzaga and Chinnie Arroyo had seven apiece.

For head coach Jerry Yee’s young squad, it was a tough but valuable lesson in championship-level competition.

Petro Gazz, meanwhile, made history on multiple fronts. The Van Sickle family – Gary, wife Lisa, and daughter Brooke – became the first full-family staff to win a PVL title together.

“We always watched Petro Gazz from afar,” said Gary. “When the opportunity came, we didn’t hesitate. It worked out well.”

“It was just us cleaning it up. Volleyball is a game of errors – who makes less, who scores more,” said Vander Weide. “We put pressure on them and turned it around.”

With their titles in 2019, 2022, and now 2025, the Angels have established an every-three-years Reinforced Conference rhythm.

But they’re determined to break that pattern.

“Twice is nicer,” Vander Weide said with a grin. “This team has grit – it shows itself as the best.”

As for 2028?

“Who knows? If I’m coming back, I’d love to be with this team. Why not a 3-peat?” she said.

While Petro Gazz ascends anew, ZUS Coffee leaves the season with credibility and promise. In only their second year, they’ve reached the summit – and now know the path.

They didn’t win the crown, but they earned their place among the elite. A future dynasty may already be brewing.