PETRO Gazz swept Choco Mucho, 27-25, 25-22, 28-26, on Tuesday to open its title defense in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference on a high note at the PhilSports Arena.
American import Lindsey Vander Weide exploded for 25 points for the Angels while Jonah Sabete completed a triple-double of 14 points, 14 digs and 14 receptions to earn Player of the Game honors.
"Siguro, blessing na rin na we had them as our last game sa last conference, so 'yung review, 'yung pag-aaral, hindi ganoon kalayo 'yung inaral ulit," said Rald Ricafort after a winning debut as Petro Gazz coach.
"Na-refresh lang ulit. Nag-add lang 'yung sa threat ng import."
With Petro Gazz two sets up but trailing 7-10 in the third, Sabete and Vander Weide connived in a 9-0 run that put the Angels comfortably ahead at 16-10.
Import Uzbek-Azerbaijani open hitter Odina Aliyeva, who tallied 26 points and 13 receptions, sparked a 9-3 run that put Choco Mucho within striking distance, 20-19.
It was a back-and-forth affair marked by six deadlocks before two unforced errors from Aliyeva sealed the deal for the defending champions.
Des Cheng registered her own triple-double of 10 points, 10 digs and 13 receptions in a losing effort for the Titans but Kat Tolentino was limited to seven points.
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