By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The Petro Gazz Angels secured the remaining semifinal spot in the PVL 2nd All-Filipino Conference with a 25-21, 25-19, 25-23 sweep over the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles in the do-or-die Game 3 of the quarterfinals at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on Tuesday, March 25.

Negrense Jonah Sabete finished with nine points, including seven attacks and two blocks, to go with 11 excellent digs as the Angels clinched the best-of-three quarterfinals series at 2-1.

Brooke Van Sickle led the Petro Gazz offense with 24 points, including 22 attacks.

MarJana Phillips contributed 10 points, nine of which were attacks, while veteran setter Relea Saet ended with 20 excellent sets and five points.

“We just stayed composed,” Saet said after the game.

“As one of the veterans on the team, I continually remind everyone that we need to give our best, especially in a do-or-die situation like this,” she added.

The match was tightly contested in the third set, with the Thunderbelles leading 23-22 following a hit from Chinnie Arroyo.

However, an attack error from her tied the score at 23-all.

The Angels seized the opportunity to close out the match with an attack from Phillips for a 24-23 advantage, before clinching the victory with a solid block from Myla Pablo.

“In the latter part of the third set, we were tentative,” Saet remarked.

“So, I reminded my teammates to stay composed and that we needed to secure the first ball to execute our play. We had to refine our serves and blocks,” she added.

For the Thunderbelles, Arroyo was the standout with 13 points.

Glaudine Troncoso and Thea Gagate each added 10 points./ASC, WDJ