Aiza Maizo-Pontillas and the Petro Gazz Angels snapped the seven-game winning run of the Chery Tiggo Crossovers for a triumphant start to the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference semifinals.
The Petro Gazz Angels got a head start in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference semifinals after giving the Chery Tiggo Crossovers a dose of their streak-busting medicine, 20-25, 25-21, 25-15, 25-16, at the PhilSports Arena Tuesday night.
The Angels ended the seven-game winning streak of the Crossovers, extending their own run to six victories for a strong start in the PVL postseason.
Petro Gazz brushed aside an opening-set speed bump before leaving Chery Tiggo in the dust. Not even a 15-minute delay due to technical difficulties in the decisive fourth frame could slow down the momentum of the Angels, who turned a 16-10 lead into a 23-16 advantage.
Remy Palma then buoyed Petro Gazz to match point with a down-the-line hit, before Brooke Van Sickle slammed the door shut with a cross-court hammer.
Aiza Maizo-Pontillas emerged as the Player of the Game with 18 points built on 15 attacks and three blocks.
Van Sickle tallied a near triple-double effort of 21 points, 12 digs, and eight excellent receptions, while MJ Phillips chipped in 16 markers in her second game this conference.
Jonah Sabete flaunted her two-way form with 13 points and 18 digs, while Palma supplemented 10 markers.
The Angels climbed atop the single-round robin standings with a 1-0 record for three points, ahead of the Choco Mucho Flying Titans (1-0 with two points), the Creamline Cool Smashers (0-1 with one point), and the Chery Tiggo Crossovers (0-1 without a point).
Eya Laure, who suffered an injury to her right pinky halfway through the fourth set, paced the losing side with 15 points.
Ara Galang was the only other double-digit scorer with 10, while Cza Carandang had eight markers for the the Crossovers, who missed Mylene Paat due to her commitment in the 2024 Korean V-League (KOVO) Women's Asian Quota Tryouts in Jeju, South Korea.