Games on Tuesday (Philsports Arena)
4 p.m. – PLDT vs Capital1
6:30 p.m. – Chery Tiggo vs Nxled
ILOCOS SUR – Petro Gazz didn’t let the long trip from Manila to Candon City go to waste, sweeping Farm Fresh, 25-21, 25-17, 25-19, in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference here on Saturday.
The victory bolstered the Angels’ campaign three weeks into the six-month tournament, as they leaned on a balanced attack and composed play to subdue the gritty Foxies at the Candon City Arena.
Leading the charge was Fil-American standout Brooke van Sickle, who delivered 20 points while consistently hitting her stride in critical moments. She praised Farm Fresh for its improved defensive effort, noting how the Angels had to stay composed to earn the victory.
“Farm Fresh knows how to play defense. We just had to stay patient. They’re going to dig balls, and we needed to stay calm and level-headed,” said van Sickle, who added four excellent digs. “We just focused on limiting errors and staying locked in as the game went on.”
The Angels used their edge in experience to weather the Foxies’ spirited challenges, especially during tight stretches in the first and third sets. After Farm Fresh’s Trisha Tubu closed the gap to 17-20 in the opening frame, van Sickle’s back-to-back hits and a Farm Fresh miscue gave Petro Gazz breathing room.
Despite Farm Fresh saving three set points, the Angels sealed the frame through the Foxies’ first-ball error.
In the second set, Petro Gazz surged to an early 13-6 lead and maintained a comfortable cushion, thanks to Remy Palma’s crafty tip and timely contributions from Myla Pablo and Chie Saet.
Although Farm Fresh clawed back to within four points, van Sickle and the Angels’ firepower proved too much, closing out the set emphatically.
The third frame saw another determined start from Farm Fresh, who stayed within two points at 10-12. But Petro Gazz responded with an 8-3 run, effectively breaking the game open.
A series of late-match adjustments by coach Koji Tsuzurabara and van Sickle’s offensive brilliance capped the Angels’ dominant performance throughout.
Meanwhile, for van Sickle, the PVL on Tour was more than just volleyball – it was a homecoming.
“It’s amazing to have this experience and play here,” she said. “I wanted to visit San Emilio, my grandfather’s hometown, which is nearby. “I’m very grateful for this experience.”
Pablo stepped up to fire 11 points, while Aiza Pontillas contributed 10 markers, the last wrapping up the one-hour, 37-minute victory on her third attempt on attack.
Meanwhile, the Angels managed to thrive despite the absence of power hitter Jonah Sabete, who was sidelined due to a strained left calf.
Trisha Tubu came away with 14 points, while Maicah Larroza, Rizza Cruz and Aprylle Tagsip chipped nine, seven and five points, respectively, for the Foxies, who dropped to 0-2.
Veteran Rachel Ann Daquis remained absent from the Foxies’ lineup as she focused on regaining peak form after a long layoff.
With van Sickle on the firing end, Petro Gazz showcased its offensive prowess by outscoring Farm Fresh in spikes, 47-40, edging them in blocks, 4-3, and delivering three service aces compared to the Foxies’ single ace.
The Angels also capitalized on Farm Fresh’s errors, earning 21 points from unforced mistakes while committing only 13 themselves.
