Petro Gazz shoots for the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference title as it brings out the broom against Cignal Tuesday, Dec. 6, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
The Angels try to wrap things up in Game 2 of their best-of-three finals series at 5:30 p.m., hoping to replicate their title feat against the Creamline Cool Smashers in 2019.
Leaning on a 25-21, 27-25, 37-35 Game 1 victory last Thursday, Dec. 1, Petro Gazz appears good and ready to hoist the trophy along with import Lindsey Vander Weide.
Vander Weide has been instrumental in their campaign with her consistent performance particularly in Game 1 where she torched the net with a 34-point production.
She may have hits and misses, but she stepped up where she was needed most, especially in that critical third set where she fired three straight down-the-line kills to seal the win.
“That was stressful,” Vander Weide said. “But I just knew whatever ball I got, I had to score.”
Vander Weide credited her chemistry with setter Djanel Cheng, who was also responsible for the Angels’ 60 attack points against the HD Spikers in Game 1.
Apart from Vander Weide, Petro Gazz coach Rald Ricafort is also relying on Aiza Pontillas, Myla Pablo and MJ Phillips to anchor the team.
Although new to the championship scene, Cignal, however, is not giving up easily to extend the series into a rubber match.
Game 3, if necessary, is set on Thursday, Dec. 8, at the same venue.
Import Tai Bierria, the lone double-digit scorer for the HD Spikers in Game 1 with 18 points, is ready to make up for their mistakes along with Ces Molina, Rachel Daquis, Ria Meneses and Gel Cayuna.
Molina, Daquis and Meneses, in particular, needed to step up to keep their title bid alive after being limited to single digits the last time.
Meanwhile, Creamline guns for the bronze in its 2:30 p.m. tussle with Chery Tiggo.
The Cool Smashers won Game 1, 25-22, 22-25, 25-5, 25-19, in their own best-of-three affair for the consolation prize.