The Petro Gazz Angels outlasted the PLDT High Speed Hitters in a five-set thriller for their 4th win in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference, inching closer to the playoffs as two-time defending champions.
The Petro Gazz Angels eked out a crucial five-set victory to inch closer to securing a quarterfinals ticket in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference, escaping the PLDT High Speed Hitters, 22-25, 25-19, 23-25, 25-19, 16-14, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Saturday, August 17.
Tied at 10-all in the fifth set, the Angels turned to the hot hands of import Wilma Salas to take the lead, before setter Djanel Cheng connected on a crucial service ace for a two-point buffer.
Erika Santos scored on the side of PLDT, but was quickly countered by Salas in an off-the-block hit.
Brooke Van Sickle opened the door once more for the High Speed Hitters after her net touch, but the All-Filipino MVP made up for it as she scored on the other end to maintain the Angels’ slim lead.
Down two match points, PLDT’s Kisha Bedonia stepped up to the plate once more with back-to-back hits to force an extended final set.
But Petro Gazz did not let another game slip away as Salas connected on a back-row attack, followed by Van Sickle’s cross-court kill to seal the win.
Salas finished with a season-high 40 points on 36 attacks, three blocks, and one service ace, while Van Sickle added 32 points on 27 kills, two blocks, and three service aces.
The Petro Gazz duo combined for 72 out of the team’s 111 points in the match as the two-time defending champions have now won three straight after a woeful 1-3 start.
Elena Samoilenko paced PLDT with 25 markers, while Santos had 18 in the loss.
The Angels now sit with a 4-3 record for 7th in the standings, while the High Speed Hitters remained at third with a 5-2 record.