Petro Gazz sweeps Choco Mucho, clinches bronze


The Petro Gazz Angels clinched the bronze medal in the 2021 PVL Open Conference after making quick work of the Choco Mucho Flying Titans, 25-20, 25-18, 25-21, in Game 2 of the battle for third place at the PCV Socio-Civic & Cultural Center in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte Thursday, Aug. 12.

The Petro Gazz Angels huddle in celebration after scoring against the Choco Mucho Flying Titans in the battle for third place at the PCV Socio-Civic & Cultural Center in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte Thursday, Aug. 12. (PVL Media Bureau)

Myla Pablo led Petro Gazz with 14 kills for 16 points.

Choco Mucho had the chance to force a fourth set after unloading a mini 4-0 blitz capped by back-to-back errors from Petro Gazz to trail at 19-22.

After another quick exchange of points, Pablo hit a solid crosscourt kill to seal the deal for the Angels.

"Worth it lahat ng sakripisyo and yung mga paghihirap ng mga players or as a team doon sa bubble training namin going here," said Petro Gazz coach Arnold Laniog.

"Tapos 'yong one month talaga na nandito kami iba 'yong experience talaga emotionally macha-challenge ka mentally."

Tied at 10-10 in the third set, Petro Gazz uncorked a 7-0 run to pull away at 17-10 capped by an easy put from Seth Rodriguez before Choco Mucho rallied to cut the deficit by four, 22-19, but to no avail.

Caitlyn Viray topscored for Choco Mucho with eight kills for nine points sans starters Bea De Leon, Kat Tolentino, Denden Lazaro-Revilla, and Maddie Madayag, who was injured in Game 1, while Ponggay Gaston, Regine Arocha, and Deanna Wong played limited minutes.