PETRO Gazz crushed ZUS Coffee’s semifinals dream with a 25-21, 25-19, 25-23 closeout win in Game Three of the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference quarterfinals on Tuesday at the Philsports Arena.
Bar a late third-set Thunderbelles charge, Petro Gazz had full control of the rubber match and even went on an 11-5 blitz late in Set 2 for a commanding two sets to none lead.
With ZUS Coffee up 22-21 in the third frame, a 4-1 Angels run was capped by Myla Pablo's kill block on Thea Gagate to complete the series comebeack from 0-1 down.
She'd go on to produce seven points and 11 receptions in the series clincher behind reigning conference MVP Brooke Van Sickle's 24 points and MJ Phillips' 10.
The Angels are bound for their ninth semifinals appearance since the league’s second season in 2017 after winning two in a row since their disastrous Game One sweep loss.
"We started slow that first game so parang inaatay namin na ano lalaban na kayo. 'Yun nagulat kami kasi nilabanan kami kaya 'yun 'yung naging consequence namin," said mainstay playmaker Chie Saet who posted 20 excellent sets.
"Kumbaga next game, nag-usap kami na hindi na kami papayag na maulit kasi ayaw na namin heartbreak ulit [...] we realized na marami rin kaming nakalimutan, 'yung sarili namin, kung ano kami."
After missing out on a top four finish in three of the last four conferences, Petro Gazz found its way back to the single-round robin semis — the same format in the 2022 Reinforced Conference when it last won the PVL title.
Joining the two-time champions are Akari, Choco Mucho and Creamline. Petro Gazz’ first semis opponent on Saturday, 6:30 p.m. at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
ZUS fairytale run ends
On the flip side of the Angels’ three-game series comeback is an unlikely Thunderbelles playoff charge that has come to an end.
Chinnie Arroyo paced the defeat with 13 points along with a pair of 10-point performances from Thea Gagate and Chai Troncoso.
Veteran winger Jovelyn Gonzaga had a near double-double with nine points and 12 digs.
Their third PVL campaign was highlighted by the year-old franchise’s first four victories and a pair of monumental upsets over Cignal in the qualifying round and Petro Gazz in the series opener.
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