By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Nicole Tiamzon showcased offensive efficiency as the Petro Gazz Angels scored a 25-12, 25-20, 25-12 victory over the Strong Group Athletics (SGA) in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) 1st All-Filipino Conference at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on Tuesday night, February 20.
The former University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons standout finished with 15 points on 13 attacks and two service aces to be named Player of the Game for the Angels.
The Angels made their presence felt early, with Filipina-American Brooke Van Sickle scoring back-to-back attacks to anchor their dominant first-set performance.
The SGA took the lead early in the second set, but were unable to maintain their aggression as Tiamzon and the Angels turned things around for a 25-20 win.
The Angels had another strong start in the third frame as they jumped to a double-digit lead en route to a 25-12 set win, capped by a booming hit from Myla Pablo.
Meanwhile, Victorinara “Ara” Galang impressed in the Chery Tiggo Crossovers debut as they swept the Capital1 Solar Energy Solar Spikers, 25-6, 25-15, 25-15.
Galang concluded with 12 points, showcasing nine attacks, two service aces and one block, earning her the Player of the Game title in the Crossovers’ commanding season-opening victory against the Solar Spikers.
“First game, syempre, excited kaming lahat. Masaya lang ako na maglaro kasama ‘yung mga new teammates ko,” Galang said in a post-game interview.
“Hindi naman naging mahirap ‘yung adjustment ko dito, pero kulang pa,” she said.
“Doing good naman ang adjustment namin ni Tyang [Abigail Maraño] dito, pero personally, I will be more efficient sa team in our next games,” the former F2 Logistics Cargo Movers star added.
Mylene Paat provided offensive support to Galang with 11 markers. Maraño concluded with six points in her Chery Tiggo debut, while Pauline Gaston and Ennajie Laure contributed five points each.
No player reached double digits for the Solar Spikers, with Jannine Navarro emerging as the top scorer with six points, while Patty Jane Orendain and Sydney Niegos concluded with five markers apiece./ASC, WDJ