Myla Pablo and the Petro Gazz Angels during the PVL All-Filipino Conference semifinals against Choco Mucho Flying Titans. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Petro Gazz capitalized on Choco Mucho’s devastating meltdown, 24-26, 25-18, 25-17, 27-25, securing the inside track to the PVL All Filipino Conference Finals on Tuesday night at the Philsports Arena.
Myla Pablo dropped the killer spike at matchpoint that shredded the hopes of the Flying Titans of stretching the encounter as the Angels remained unbeaten in the four-team, single-round semifinals.
HIGHLIGHTS: PVL All-Filipino Conference semifinals – April 1
“It was a lesson that I learned in a crucial game against ZUS (in the quarterfinals). I was again in front and we needed to secure the fourth set whatever it takes,’’ said Pablo in Filipino after tallying 13 points, including her team’s last two attacks, plus five blocks.
Brooke Van Sickle produced a scintillating triple-double output of 17 points, 12 digs and 22 excellent receptions for the Angels, who will tangle with the Akari Chargers to close out their semifinal campaign on Thursday.
“They (Choco Mucho) did a fantastic job with so much energy. We just stayed grounded, patient and we knew it wasn’t going to be a pretty win,’’ said Van Sickle.
Petro Gazz Angels’ Brooke Van Sickle. –MARLO CUETO/IINQUIRER.net
The Angels won two games so far at the ongoing semis, but nothing’s cast in stone yet as to which teams will reach the finals until after Thursday’s double-header where the Creamline Cool Smashers take on the Flying Titans in the other match.
The Cool Smashers and the Chargers split their games and could create a three-way tie at 2-1 with an Akari victory over the Angels and a defeat by the Smashers against the Flying Titans.
READ: PVL: Petro Gazz shows depth in semis win over Creamline
“We knew it’s going to be a tiring win and we just tried to stay as a team. But a win is a win, so we’ll take it,’’ said Van Sickle.
After an erroneously called net fault by the Angels that had the Flying Titans snatching the opening frame, Petro Gazz swung back with Jonah Sabete smashing her way on different angles on the floor.
Myla Pablo on her game-winner. #PVL2025 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/LcsdaZ2ebk
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) April 1, 2025
Sabete’s hit off a combination play and another crosscourt strike followed by an MJ Phillips block off Mars Alba brought them to a five-point cushion in the crucial stretches of Set 2.
Aiza Maizo-Pontillas sharply uncorked a spike and Isa Molde’s hit went beyond the sideline, hastening the Flying Titans’ downward trend made worse by a block touch at set point.
READ: PVL semifinals preview: Creamline’s drive for five faces familiar foes
The narrative hardly altered in Set 3 as the Angels quickly soared with an assortment of attacks and led throughout prior to a power tip by Van Sickle and back-to-back concluding smashes courtesy of Pablo.
Sisi Rondina sizzled in the fourth set as the Flying Titans sprang back to life and led by as much as seven points.
But the Angels refused to permit a five-setter to transpire, climbing back with an 8-0 tear on the combined heroics of Ranya Musa and Djanel Cheng.
Back-to-back aces by Cheng even pushed the Angels on top, 23-21, before Rondina came through with the much-needed point and Royse Tubino leveling the count with a down-the-line spike and a block coming off the bench.
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Pontillas came swinging with a down-the-line bullet and Cherry Nunag tied the match again with a quick attack in the middle before Pablo came to the picture and finished off the Flying Titans with a pair of hits.
Rondina had 19 attacks out of 25 points while Molde added 12 points and four blocks as the Flying Titans remained winless in the semis.
