April 30, 2024

PVL: Djanel Cheng, Petro Gazz fuel semis drive, push Cignal to the brink

PVL: Djanel Cheng, Petro Gazz fuel semis drive, push Cignal to the brink
Djanel Cheng orchestrates Petro Gazz’s sweep of Cignal. | Photo (c) PVL

Coming off a morale-boosting win over Creamline, Petro Gazz had more than enough fuel to blow past Cignal in straight sets, 25-13, 25-18, 25-17, in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference at the PhilSports Arena on Tuesday. 


The Angels soared to solo second with a 7-2 record for 22 points, while pushing the HD Spikers on the verge of elimination with a 5-4 slate at sixth.


Djanel Cheng kept the Petro Gazz humming to the tune of 12 excellent sets.


Jonah Sabete benefitted the most from her steady deliveries with 16 points, to go along with 12 digs for a double-double effort.


Brooke Van Sickle also flaunted her two-way form, churning out 13 markers and eight digs.


Aiza Maizo Pontillas and captain Remy Palma provided ample support with nine and eight points, respectively, while KC Galdones scored seven.


Petro Gazz came out firing, leaning on the one-two punch of Sabete and Van Sickle. Cignal struggled to keep up as it fell to a swift 0-2 set deficit.


In the third frame, the HD Spikers came alive and zoomed to a 5-9 edge, but that lead proved to be short-lived.


The Angels went on a blistering 15-4 rally, capped off by a Sabete hit for a commanding 20-13 advantage. They would never relinquish the lead the rest of the way.


Cignal, which came off a crushing defeat via sweep at the hands of Chery Tiggo, could not catch a break as no one from its side breached double figures.


Captain Ces Molina and Vanie Gandler paced the losing side with eight points each.


Petro Gazz seeks to continue closing in on a semis berth when it takes on also-ran Galeries Tower, while Cignal tries to keep its campaign alive when it faces PLDT on April 20, Saturday.


Both matches will be held at the Sta. Rosa Sports Complex.