By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The Petro Gazz Angels turned back the Creamline Cool Smashers for a 25-17, 25-20, 18-25, 20-25, 15-10 victory in Game 1 of the PVL 2nd All-Filipino Conference finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Tuesday night, April 8.
Negrense Jonah Sabete finished with 16 points, built on 13 attacks and three blocks, as the Angels took a 1-0 advantage in their best-of-three championship series.
Brooke Van Sickle led the way with 24 points, on 21 attacks, two blocks and a service ace.
MarJana Phillips and Myla Pablo contributed 16 and 12 markers, respectively, for the Angels.
“I have no words. I am just so happy that and, you know, that was extremely stressful,” Van Sickle said after the game.
She said Creamline did a great job pushing the Angels physically and mentally to their limits.
“Creamline is a team that will continue to fight non-stop. They have it all. They have that grit, and they are mentally tough as a team,” Van Sickle said.
“Our team captain [Mary Remy Palma] did a great job in calming us down. So we were able to win this,” she added.
After failing to close out the Cool Smashers in the fourth set, the Angels started strong in the fifth frame behind the trio of Van Sickle, Phillips and Sabete for a 10-4 advantage.
The Cool Smashers tried to rally back as they cut the deficit to 10-13, but a costly attack error by Creamline’s Bernadeth Pons and a block from Ilongga Aiza Maizo-Pontillas secured them the series-opening win for the Angels.
Negrense Pons top-scored with 16 points.
Jeanette Panaga added 13 markers, while Bea de Leon and Jessica Galanza contributed 11 and 10 points, respectively, for the Cool Smashers.
Meanwhile, the Akari Power Chargers pulled off a stunning comeback from two sets down to beat the Choco Mucho Flying Titans, 24-26, 21-25, 25-15, 25-18, 15-11, in Game 1 of the bronze medal series.
Justine Jazareno anchored the Power Chargers’ turnaround with 29 excellent digs and seven excellent receptions, earning Player of the Game honors as they gained a 1-0 edge in their best-of-three series./ASC, WDJ