The victory not only extended the Angels' winning streak to three but more importantly, it boosted their chances for a quarterfinal berth with a 4-3 record, tying them with the idle Capital1 Solar Spikers for sixth place.
“These two five-set wins highlight the players' resilience and attitude,” said Petro Gazz assistant coach Stephen Patrona. “Overcoming these tough matches will hopefully boost the team’s confidence as we approach the finish. This win is a big deal for us.”
Wilma Salas delivered a career-high 40 points, surpassing her previous best of 37 in 2019. Her dominant performance, including seven points in the fifth set, played a crucial role in the Angels' win.
She capped her performance with a decisive backrow attack that broke a 14-all count, while Brooke Van Sickle’s powerful final hit secured the victory after a grueling exchange.
“The team’s motivation is what drives me,” said Salas. “When we step onto the court, it’s about staying together, not just winning or losing. That’s the strength of Petro Gazz, and I’m proud of the team.”
Van Sickle, who contributed 32 points, emphasized the importance of staying focused under pressure.
“I tried to stay calm and contribute in every way I could – whether it was hitting or defense,” she said. “It’s all about staying focused and helping the team.”
PLDT’s locals also stepped up, with Kiesha Bedonia taking over scoring duties as import Elena Samoilenko faced fatigue.
Bedonia’s back-to-back kills forced a tie at 14, setting the stage for a thrilling finish.
Despite the High Speed Hitters’ efforts, however, Salas and Van Sickle’s outstanding performance proved too much for PLDT.
In the decisive fifth set, Petro Gazz controlled the game with key plays from Van Sickle and Salas, despite eight deadlocks and two lead changes.
Van Sickle’s timely hits and a miscommunication between Kim Fajardo and Mika Reyes allowed the Angels to maintain their edge.
Petro Gazz outperformed PLDT with 80 attack points, compared to 70 by its opponents, and had nine kill blocks to PLDT’s six. The Angels also served five aces while giving up three, and managed to overcome 23 unforced errors against PLDT’s 17.
Van Sickle added 10 excellent digs, and Salas contributed 21 receptions.
Samoilenko, on the other hand, led with 25 points, supported by Erika Santos with 18, and eight points each from Reyes, Majoy Baron, Fiola Ceballos, and Bedonia.
