Petro Gazz’s Myla Pablo tries to attain towards Choco Mucho within the PVL on Tour in Candon, Ilocos Sur.–PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Per week after champion coach Koji Tsuzurabara’s departure, Petro Gazz ended the PVL on Tour preliminary spherical in excessive spirits after warding off Choco Mucho, 20-25, 25-19, 26-24, 25-17, on Tuesday night time at Candon Metropolis Area in Ilocos Sur.
The Angels, dealt with by interim coach Brian Esquibel after the Japanese coach’s choice to come back house to his nation, overcame a flat begin and flashed their championship poise to stave off the sturdy problem by the Flying Titans.
READ: PVL: Koji Tsuzurabara heads house to Japan after Petro Gazz stint
Myla Pablo was the group’s stabilizer, pouring in 23 factors and rallying her teammates to erase a 12-15 deficit within the fourth set with eight unanswered factors capped by AA Adolfo’s assault for a 20-15 lead.
Nicole Tiamzon was additionally instrumental and despatched Petro Gazz to match level, 24-17, earlier than Pablo scored from the backrow off a damaged play to finish a two-game skid and completed fourth in Pool A with a 2-3 file.
“Really, this win is admittedly for the gamers. You’ll be able to actually see how they labored collectively. Their effort throughout lengthy rallies, we have been those scoring as a result of they by no means gave up. The combating spirit of those gamers continues to be there,” stated Esquibel in Filipino. “That’s the guts of a champion.”
“I’m not the proper particular person to speak about [Coach Koji’s exit], however I’ll do the job that Petro Gazz entrusted to me—to deal with the group for this On Tour match.”
READ: PVL: Coach Koji Tsuzurabara, Petro Gazz half methods
The 2024-25 All-Filipino champion, which has been lacking Alas Pilipinas gamers Brooke Van Sickle and MJ Phillips within the preseason, battles Akari for a quarterfinal spot in a knockout sport on August 5.
Pablo delivered 19 kills, three blocks, and an ace on prime of 16 glorious receptions. Tiamzon had 16 factors and 12 digs, coming off the bench, whereas Aiza Maizo-Pontillas had 10 factors, highlighted by three kill blocks.
Bang Pineda, who made her homecoming to Petro Gazz days in the past, shone as the principle libero with 13 digs and 12 receptions.
Choco Mucho suffered its fourth straight defeat, successful solely its first match within the prelims. The Flying Titans are slated towards the ZUS Espresso Thunderbelles within the knockout stage additionally on August 5.
READ: PVL: Myla Pablo leads Petro Gazz’s bounce again win
The KO spherical kicks off in Dasmariñas, Cavite, with Capital1 going through Farm Contemporary and Chery Tiggo battling Galeries Tower.
Petro Gazz recovered from a meltdown within the third regardless of blowing a 17-13 unfold, with Cherry Nunag drilling the well timed hits to ship Choco Mucho to set level, 24-23.
Maizo-Pontillas gained a joust to save lots of some extent earlier than Ayesha Juego’s spike went straight to the web to steal the benefit, 25-24. Marian Buitre’s service was initially referred to as out, however the Angels referred to as for a problem, proving that it hit the Flying Titans’ line for the set-clinching ace.
Nunag led the Flying Titans with 17 factors constructed on 11 kills, 4 blocks, and two aces. Juegos delivered 16 factors and 11 digs. Royse Tubino had 13 factors, as libero Thang Ponce’s 27-dig and 22-reception sport went for naught.
