PVL: Petro Gazz boosts semis bid with win over Cignal

MANILA, Philippines–Jonah Sabete fueled Petro Gazz’s semifinal bid in a 25-13, 25-18, 25-17 triumph over Cignal on Tuesday at the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.

Sabete injected 16 points that came from 13 attacks, two blocks and an ace to extend the Angels’ winning streak to three and improve to a 7-2 win-loss card, tied with defending champion Creamline.

“Masaya [surviving Cignal pero] kasi hindi namin mina-maliit yung next games,” said Sabete. “Pero sabi nga ni Rem [Palma] lumiliwanag yung buhay ng bawat isa so fighting pa rin.”

SCHEDULE: PVL All-Filipino Conference 2024

Brooke van Sickle was still a lethal weapon for Petro Gazz after punching in 13 points, four off blocks, as veteran Aiza Maizo-Pontillas delivered nine attack points.

Choco Mucho still leads the race at 8-1 standing before the Angels, Cool Smashers and PLDT, with a 7-1 record, who is battling Chery Tiggo (6-2) as of posting.

“Salamat sa tsamba (jokes) yung tiwala ni coach [Koji Tsuzurabara] sa amin lalo na pag dikit yung score, kailangan namin makahabol,” seasoned setter Chie Saet said.

“Yung time na pinasok kami ni Myla [Pablo] lamang [Cignal] so yung instructions [ni coach] napaka-importante. I guess I just followed his instructions,” she said.

READ: PVL: Brooke Van Sickle not satisfied after latest Petro Gazz win

Petro Gazz can finish the preliminary round strong with only two eliminated teams left in its schedule in Galeries Tower on Saturday in Sta. Rosa Laguna province before meeting Nxled.

With its second consecutive loss, Cignal moved to the brink of elimination with a 5-4 standing.

It was a neck-and-neck battle in the decider at 11-all before Petro Gazz found another momentum to build a healthy cushion thanks to Maizo-Pontillas, Sabete and Van Sickle.

The Angels crucified the HD Spikers at 13 with a 7-0 run and pulled away at 20-13 capped by a Sabete hit through the block. And it was all downhill from there for Cignal with Sabete hammering two kills despite the defensive attempts of the HD Spikers.

Maizo-Pontillas made an attack error, 24-17, but made up for it immediately the next play, smashing a kill off the hands of Ces Molina for the victory.

No HD Spiker carded in double-points with Molina and Vanie Gandler top scoring with eight points each.