Petro Gazz moved on the cusp of clinching its first Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference title after overcoming a persistent Creamline side, 25-17, 25-20, 18-25, 20-25, 15-10, on Tuesday, April 8, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Entering their best-of-three championship series as the underdogs against their multi-titled defending champion rivals, the Angels reasserted their might after squandering a two-set lead with hard-hitting Brooke Van Sickle at the forefront of their assault.

The Fil-American Van Sickle remained solid all throughout, challenging Creamline’s defense by blasting 21 kills to finish with 24 points, even as MJ Phillips rose to the occasion in the pivotal fifth set with timely attacks to chip in 16 points.

Van Sickle admitted the Cool Smashers pushed them to their limits mentally and physically as evident in their third- and fourth-set performances.

“That was stressful and a tough battle,” Van Sickle said. “Creamline’s a team that they’re just gonna continue to fight. They have it all, they have that grit, and our team captain (Remy Palma) just did a good job in talking to us and calming us down after the third set because we got really ahead of ourselves.”

True enough, the Angels found their rhythm just at the right moment as Phillips orchestrated a fiery offense to steer them to an 8-4 lead that set the tone throughout the fifth frame.

Counterattacks from Michele Gumabao and Pangs Panaga briefly stirred Creamline, but Jonah Sabete further fueled Petro Gazz’s offense with down-the-line spikes.

“Creamline runs a fast offense. They played the ball fast and we didn’t play our game and we started rushing a lot in those third and fourth sets. So we just tried to stay patient and just kept our composure,” Van Sickle said.

Van Sickle also provided reinforcements on the floor by managing 14 digs, even as Sabete joined forces with Phillips with combined six of the team’s 13 blocks to finish with 16 points. Myla Pablo contributed 12 points, while veteran Chie Saet distributed the ball well and came through with 20 excellent sets.

Petro Gazz’s win overshadowed the efforts of Bernadeth Pons and Panaga, who finished with 16 and 13 points for Creamline. Jema Galanza scored 10 points in a losing cause.

The Angels try to seal the crown on Thursday, April 10, at the same venue. Game 3, if necessary, is set on Saturday, April 12.