Grethcel Soltones knew it was a net touch. Coach O agreed.
The Petro Gazz Angels are a win away from winning the 2023 PVL All-Filipino Conference championship after stunning the Creamline Cool Smashers, 25-22, 24-26, 25-23, 26-24, in Game 1 on Sunday at the jam-packed Mall of Asia Arena.
The thrilling, well-played game, though, ended somewhat anti-climactically, with Creamline’s Jia De Guzman getting called for a game-ending net touch after the Angels called for a challenge.
Not that it matters to coach Oliver Almadro and his Angels. Coach O even admitted in the post-game press conference that he was confident the breaks will go the Angels’ way in that fateful, match-sealing challenge.
“I called it. I called it right away, na it’s a challenge,” Almadro said. “No matter what, wala naman mawawala e. And I trusted the Lord na lang na talagang net.”
And, apparently, it was not just the Lord Almadro trusted. He also had faith in his star outside hitter Grethcel Soltones, who was involved in that final play.
“I know my player worked hard for that attack, and hindi ako papayag na hindi 'yun puntos kasi pinaghirapan niya yun,” Coach O pointed out. “So, ibig sabihin, alam ko na no matter what, it’s a point. Kasi hiningi niya 'yung point na yun. She asked for it. I knew it will be a point. So, 'yun, naging confident ako to take that challenge and, indeed, pinagbigyan naman kami.
Soltones finished the game with 14 points to go along with that crucial challenge call to help Petro Gazz beat Creamline for the first time since 2019 and move a win away from a most improbable title. Jonah Sabete led way for the Angels with 18 points on 16 attacks, 2 blocks, 15 receptions, and 10 digs, while Aiza Maizo-Pontillas added 15 points.
Petro Gazz will go for the title on Tuesday, and Coach O would like his Angels not to rely on the challenge anymore if they could help it.