Angels rebound, Crossovers roll on

Angels rebound, Crossovers roll on

MANILA, Philippines — Petro Gazz and Chery Tiggo carved out contrasting wins over Capital1 Solar Energy and Nxled, respectively, and stayed in the thick of the fight for the semifinals of the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the PhilSports Arena last night.

The Angels, featuring Brooke Van Sickle with her booming kills, overpowered the Solar Spikers, 25-11, 25-19, 25-14, while the Crossovers needed four sets to overcome the Chameleons, 23-25, 25-23, 25-16, 25-20.

With those wins, the Angels and the Chameleons kept their spots in the Magic Four with identical 5-2 win-loss slates.

The Solar Spikers slumbered to 1-6 while the Chameleons slipped to 1-5.

Van Sickle powered her way to a 19-point performance that she laced with 15 kills and three missile-like aces as the Angels bounced back from a 25-21, 18-25, 22-25, 25-19, 15-13 defeat to the Crossovers Thursday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“We came from a loss, and we returned to basic,” said Petro Gazz coach Koji Tsuzurabara.

It had something to do with defense, with liberos Jellie Tempiatura and Baby Love Borbon taking charge.

Tempiatura scooped up nine digs while Borbon had nine receptions.

“Kulang kami sa depensa last game kaya kung ano kulang namin nung nakaraan, yun ginawa namin today (yesterday),” said Tempiatura.

Jonah Sabete provided the attacking help to Van Sickle by hammering in nine hits while skipper Remy Palma presided over the block party with a match-high three and finished with seven hits.

Ivy Perez, for her part, did the rest and dished out 10 excellent sets while chipping in six points.

Meanwhile, Chery Tiggo was paced by Mylene Paat with 15 as Eya Laure and Princess Anne Robles scattered 12 and 11 hits, respectively.

The victory was Chery Tiggo’s third straight following a shock shutout loss to Farm Fresh, igniting its big surge with a straight-set win over Creamline and a five-set escape against Petro Gazz.