PetroGazz pounced on the continued absence of injured Myla Pablo and the sidelining of import Edina Selimovic and posted its third straight-set victory, a 25-22, 25-18, 25-19 romp over Motolite in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at the Flying V Center in San Juan City yesterday.
Cuban Wilma Salas and American import Janisa Johnson sustained their top form coming off the Angels’ victories over the Creamline Cool Smashers and the BanKo-Perlas Spikers last week, combining for 38 hits and keeping the team unbeaten in the early going of the season-opening conference of the third season of the country’s premier league organized by Sports Vision.
But coach Arnold Laniog downplayed his wards’ early surge, citing the breaks that they gained in trouncing their first three opponents.
“Against Creamline, Alyssa (Valdez) got injured, while Kia (Bright) didn’t start quite well for BanKo-Perlas and Motolite played without an import,” said Laniog. “But the challenge for us is how to sustain our form in our next games.”
Salas scored all her 25 points off attacks while punctuating her solid game with nine excellent receptions while Johnson added 13 hits with 12 receives and 10 digs to boot.
Jeanette Panaga added six points for PetroGazz, which pumped in 45 spikes.
Motolite drew 22 points from American reinforcement Channon Thompson with former UP stalwards Isa Molde and Tots combining for 12 markers.
Pablo sat out for the second straight game with a sore lower back while Selimovic, from Bosnia, failed to see action after suffering a minor knee injury in the fourth set of their loss to the PacificTown Army Lady Troopers last Saturday.
But with the way the Angels are playing as one cohesive unit, Pablo and Selimovic would need to be in top shape to stop the strong starting PetroGazz side, which has yet to drop a set in the tournament backed by Mikasa, Asics and KFC.