MANILA, Philippines – The Petro Gazz Angels rose from the dead to cap off a big PVL triple-header at the PhilSports Arena on Tuesday, January 21, rallying from two sets down to stun the Chery Tiggo Crossovers in a big reverse sweep, 20-25, 20-25, 25-23, 25-15, 15-7.
Two-time MVP Myla Pablo stepped up for ailing fellow MVP Brooke Van Sickle with a game-high 18 points on 15 attacks and 3 blocks, tying veteran teammate Aiza Maizo-Pontillas in the marathon comeback as the Angels perched atop the 12-team league with a 6-1 record.
Van Sickle, however, would not be denied in the spotlight, as she completely took over the crucial fifth set with a whopping 7 of her 10 points in that frame alone and also finished with 11 excellent digs in 22 attempts.
Cza Carandang paced the sorry Chery Tiggo loss with 13 points as the Crossovers — now 4-3 in the standings — still await the integration of new middle blocker signee Risa Sato. The 10-time Creamline champion blocker was already in attendance, but not yet in uniform.
Jen Nierva steered the defense with 21 excellent digs and 12 excellent receptions, Pauline Gaston backstopped Carandang with 12 points, and setter Jasmine Nabor flashed her two-skill play with 10 points on top of 14 excellent sets.
Creamline, Cignal roll over struggling Capital1, Galeries Tower
Creamline picked up right where it left off in 2024, kicking off the new year with a quick 25-19, 25-19, 25-18 drubbing of reeling Capital1 to stay undefeated with a 5-0 record in second place behind rival Petro Gazz.
Already loaded at all positions, the mighty Cool Smashers got even mightier with the return of three-time MVP Tots Carlos, who tallied 10 points in just two sets played in her first game since November 23 in Candon City, Cebu.
Jema Galanza, another former MVP, led the easy win with 12 points also in just two sets as Creamline rose to a clean 5-0 record. Star blocker Bea de Leon added 8 points with 3 blocks, while three-time MVP Alyssa Valdez scored 7.
Trisha Genesis, formerly of Akari and Nxled, made her promising debut in the Capital1 loss down a 1-5 card with 10 points on a hefty 9-of-46 attack attempt clip, while captain Jorelle Singh added 7 points.
Lastly, the Cignal HD Spikers — fielding a razor-thin roster following the shock departures of former MVP Ces Molina and veteran blocker Riri Meneses — still pulled off a convincing 25-17, 25-20, 25-19 rout of the Galeries Tower Highrisers to rise to second place with a 5-1 slate.
Alas Pilipinas prospect Vanie Gandler expectedly stepped up immediately in the offensive void left by Molina with 17 points on 13 attacks, 3 aces, and 1 block, while newly installed captain Dawn Macandili-Catindig — another Alas ace — tallied 19 excellent digs.
Exposing a severe lack of offensive firepower, Alas setter Julia Coronel emerged as Galeries Tower’s top scorer with 8 points, 8 excellent sets, and 7 excellent digs, while Ysa Jiminez likewise scored 8 in two sets played. – Rappler.com