By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The Petro Gazz Angels recovered from an awful first set performance to defeat the PLDT High Speed Hitters, 12-25, 25-14, 25-22, 25-20, in the PVL 2nd All-Filipino Conference at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on Tuesday night, December 10.

Negrense Jonah Sabete served as the spark with 17 points, mostly coming in the second set, as the Angels netted their third straight victory for a 4-1 win-loss record.

“Lagi namang sinasabi nila na ready lang always kasi hindi nila alam kung anong position ako ilalagay. Kung saan lang mailagay, magpe-perform pa rin ako,” Sabete said in a post-game interview.

Brooke Van Sickle led the way with 21 points, 12 digs and eight receptions, Myla Pablo contributed 19 points, Djanel Cheng tossed 18 excellent sets, while Babylove Barbon protected the floor with 14 excellent receptions for the streaking Petro Gazz.

After being walloped by the High Speed Hitters in the opening set, 12-25, the Angels regrouped in the second set behind Sabete, Van Sickle and Pablo to tie the set score at 1-1.

The tandem of Pablo and Van Sickle continued their fine play with clutch connections in the third set before the latter took control offensively in the fourth set to complete the come-from-behind win.

“The first set was no good, but the second set, Jonah entered the court and changed the atmosphere for us,” Petro Gazz head coach Koji Tsuzurabara said in a post-game interview.

Savannah Davison had a near triple-double performance of 28 points, 12 excellent receptions and nine excellent digs as the High Speed Hitters fell to their second straight loss with a 3-2 mark.

Meanwhile, the Akari Power Chargers battled back from a first-set collapse to defeat the Chery Tiggo Crossovers, 22-25, 26-24, 25-18, 25-20.

Gretchel Soltones posted a near triple-double numbers of 22 points, nine excellent digs and seven excellent receptions as the Power Chargers snapped a three-game losing skid to improve to a 3-3 win-loss slate./ASC, WDJ