PETRO Gazz moved within a win of a first-ever finals appearance, beating BanKo, 25-19, 25-15, 21-25, 25-12, in the PVL Reinforced Conference on Wednesday at the Arena in San Juan.
Wilma Salas had 25 points, 13 excellent receptions and 12 digs, while Janisa Johnson scored 23 points, while making 16 receptions and 14 digs.
Cherry Nunag the Angels’ locals with 12 points, while Jeanette Panaga fired six aces and wound up with nine points. Djanel Cheng dished out 17 excellent sets as Petro Gazz scored its third win over BanKo in the tournament.
“Since semifinals na talaga ’to, yung mindset ng mga players is nakatutok doon sa gusto talaga naming mangyari,” said PetroGazz coach Arnold Laniog.
“Doon pa lang sa training nakita ko na may gusto talaga silang mapatunayan.”
The scond match of the best-of-three series is set on Saturday at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City.
“Going to the third set nagrelax at nagadjust din yung opponent sa serve nila nagkaerror error kami sa pasa. Pagdating nung fourth set, bumalik yung focus ng mga players ko,” said Laniog.
Team captain Nicole Tiamzon and Thai import Chuewulim led BanKo with 12 points each. Stix Horton, brought in to replace Turkey’s Yasemin Yildirim, scored 11.
Defending champion Creamline is also a win away from its third straight finals appearance after beating Pacifictown-Army in the other semifinal.
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