Behind the spirited outburst of Brooke Van Sickle, the Petro Gazz Angels escaped the jaws of defeat and outlasted the Creamline Cool Smashers in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
In another thrilling chapter of the storied Petro Gazz-Creamline rivalry, Brooke Van Sickle put on an electric show to lift the Angels over the Cool Smashers Saturday night.
Van Sickle poured a career-high 29 points, willing the Angels over the defending champions in a nail biting five-set escape act, 15-25, 25-18, 24-26, 25-19, 15-13, in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference inside the jam packed Sta.Rosa Sports Complex.
In a stellar display of all-around brilliance, the Filipina-American sensation also delivered 20 receptions and 12 digs for Petro Gazz, which rose to 6-2, grabbing hold of the solo second seed with 19 points behind the league-leading Choco Mucho Flying Titans (21 points).
Staring down a 1-2 set deficit, the Angels displayed guts and composure, leaning on Van Sickle, Jonah Sabete, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, and Rem Palma to forge a decider.
Come the frenetic fifth frame, Petro Gazz pounced on a 10-5 lead before the prolific duo of Tots Carlos and Jema Galanza dragged Creamline back into it, 11-12.
Clinging onto a slim edge, Van Sickle and Tots Carlos traded blows, but the former proved more clutch as she pummeled another differential hit that pushed the Angels 14-12.
Alyssa Valdez gave Creamline a lease on life with an attack of her own before Maizo-Pontillas nailed the final blow.
Sabete played the perfect second fiddle for Van Sickle, delivering a triple-double of her own to the tune of 21 points, 14 receptions, and 13 digs.
Maizo-Pontillas pitched in 14 markers, while Palma collected four of her team’s 16 blocks on her way to 12 points.
Djanel Cheng tossed out 20 excellent sets, generating 66 attacks for the Angels.
The Cool Smashers, who now hold an identical 6-2 card, dropped to third place with 18 points.
Carlos led the balanced scoring thrust of Creamline with 15 points, while Bea de Leon provided her best game in a pink-and-white uniform with 13 markers anchored on six blocks.
Galanza and Valdez came up with double-double outings that went for naught. The former put up 11 points and 14 digs, while the latter managed 11 markers and 19 receptions.
Michele Gumabao scored 10, while Kyle Negrito dished out 23 excellent sets in the losing cause.
The jostle for the semis berth continues when Petro Gazz takes on Cignal on April 16, Tuesday, while Creamline seeks to regain footing when it faces Nxled on April 13, Saturday.
Both matches will be held at the PhilSports Arena.