Petro Gazz secures crucial victory in five-set thriller

The Petro Gazz Angels bolstered their quarterfinal chances in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference with a hard-fought five-set victory over the PLDT High Speed Hitters, 22-25, 25-19, 23-25, 25-19, 16-14, on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The victory extended the Angels’ winning streak to three, pushing their record to 4-3, tying them with the idle Capital1 Solar Spikers for sixth place.

The win comes on the heels of their recent comeback victory against Creamline, demonstrating the team’s resilience in the face of adversity.

“These two five-set wins highlight the players’ resilience and attitude,” said Petro Gazz assistant coach Stephen Patrona.

“Overcoming these tough matches will hopefully boost the team’s confidence as we approach the finish. This win is a big deal for us.”

Petro Gazz showcased its determination, bouncing back from a 1-2 set deficit to clinch the match in the fifth set.

The loss, while not overly damaging for the High Speed Hitters, who are already assured a spot in the knockout stage with a 5-2 record, served as a reminder of the competitive nature of the upcoming rounds.

Cuban import Wilma Salas delivered a standout performance, scoring a career-high 40 points, surpassing her previous best of 37 points set in 2019.

Her dominant play, particularly in the fifth set where she contributed seven points, was pivotal in securing the Angels’ victory.

Salas capped her night with a decisive backrow attack that broke a 14-all tie, setting the stage for Brooke Van Sickle’s match-clinching spike.

“The team’s motivation is what drives me,” Salas said. “When we step onto the court, it’s about staying together, not just winning or losing. That’s the strength of Petro Gazz, and I’m proud of the team.”

Van Sickle, who added 32 points to the Angels’ tally, emphasized the importance of staying calm and focused under pressure.

“I tried to stay calm and contribute in every way I could – whether it was hitting or defense,” Van Sickle said. “It’s all about staying focused and helping the team.”

PLDT’s locals, led by Kiesha Bedonia, stepped up as import Elena Samoilenko began to tire.

Bedonia’s back-to-back kills tied the score at 14 in the fifth set, creating a tense final exchange.

However, the High Speed Hitters ultimately fell short, as Salas and Van Sickle’s exceptional performances carried Petro Gazz to victory.

The fifth set was a nail-biter, featuring eight deadlocks and two lead changes.

Key plays by Van Sickle and Salas, coupled with a critical miscommunication between Kim Fajardo and Mika Reyes on the PLDT side, allowed the Angels to maintain their advantage and close out the match.

Petro Gazz outperformed PLDT with 80 attack points to 70 and tallied nine kill blocks compared to PLDT’s six.

The Angels also served five aces while conceding three and managed to overcome 23 unforced errors, a higher tally than PLDT’s 17.

Van Sickle also contributed 10 excellent digs, while Salas added 21 receptions to her stat line.

For PLDT, Samoilenko led with 25 points, followed by Erika Santos with 18 points, and contributions of eight points each from Reyes, Majoy Baron, Fiola Ceballos, and Bedonia.