Petro Gazz overcame defending champions Creamline in four sets on Saturday to clinch their first Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference title in front of more than 10,000 fans at the Philsports Arena.
The Angels posted a 25-21, 25-16, 23-25, 25-19 victory in Game 3 of the best-of-three finals, ending Creamline’s recent dominance and completing a surprise championship run.
Brooke Van Sickle led Petro Gazz with 21 points, nine digs and 18 receptions. She received ample support from Jonah Sabete, who scored 16 points despite battling cramps, and MJ Phillips, who contributed 15, including four blocks.
“We stayed calm and together,” said Van Sickle. “Creamline’s a dynasty, but we kept pushing.”
The Angels, who had never won the All-Filipino crown, advanced to the finals after a strong playoff campaign that included wins over ZUS Coffee, Akari, and Choco Mucho. They opened the finals with a five-set win in Game 1, but lost Game 2 in another five-setter.
Saturday’s match saw Petro Gazz out-hit Creamline 53-51 and out-block them 12-4. Creamline also committed 26 unforced errors, which Petro Gazz converted into key points.
Creamline was led by Bernadeth Pons with 17 points. Jema Galanza added 15, while Pangs Panaga and Lorie Bernardo scored 11 and eight, respectively. Tots Carlos, usually one of Creamline’s top scorers, managed only four points.
Despite falling behind 10-13 in the fourth set, Petro Gazz mounted a comeback behind key plays from Van Sickle, Joy Dacoron, and Aiza Pontillas. Dacoron scored a quick kill to break an 18-all tie, and Van Sickle delivered a clutch ace to widen the gap. Sabete closed out the match with a final attack.
Petro Gazz head coach Koji Tsuzurabara, in his first season with the team, praised the players’ composure under pressure. “They believed in each other and stayed focused,” he said.
The win marked a breakthrough for the Angels, who had previously fallen short in past PVL campaigns.