After seven triumphant years in the PVL, the Petro Gazz Angels have announced a leave of absence, pausing their participation despite a championship-filled run in 2025.
Known for their fierce rivalries and championship grit, the Angels carved out a legacy that soared far beyond the taraflex.
From title runs to unforgettable matchups and milestone moments, here are seven highlights that define the Petro Gazz Angels’ enduring imprint on the PVL.
Maiden championship
On July 14, 2019, Petro Gazz completed a stunning comeback to clinch its first PVL championship, dethroning the Alyssa Valdez-led Creamline Cool Smashers in the winner-take-all Game 3 of the Reinforced Conference Finals.
Led by stellar imports Wilma Salas and Janisa Johnson, the underdog Angels prevailed in four sets and snapped Creamline’s 12-match winning streak en route to the title.
It was a breakthrough leap for a franchise that had finished only fifth in 2018, announcing Petro Gazz as a new powerhouse on the PVL stage.
Petro Gazz Angels celebrate their first-ever PVL title during the 2019 Reinforced Conference. | Photo: PVL
Rivalry with Creamline
Sparked by that initial 2019 encounter, Petro Gazz quickly developed one of the PVL's marquee rivalries against the Creamline Cool Smashers, meeting in several high-stakes showdowns.
In total, the two teams met in five different Finals series spanning from 2019 to 2025.
Each clash was intense, fueling a competitive fire between the Angels and Cool Smashers.
Returning to the throne
Petro Gazz’s championship pedigree resurfaced in the 2022 PVL Reinforced Conference.
In December 2022, the Angels climbed back to the top of the PVL mountain, dispatching the Cignal HD Spikers in the Finals to reclaim the Reinforced Conference title.
Import Lindsey Vander Weide was instrumental, unleashing a 34-point explosion in Game 1 and delivering again in the clincher, earning Best Import honors while powering Petro Gazz to its second PVL championship.
Game-changing arrival
In a major roster move ahead of the 2023 season, Petro Gazz brought in Fil-Am outside hitter Brooke Van Sickle, a decision that would pay massive dividends over the next two years.
Van Sickle quickly emerged as the team’s top scorer, go-to closer, and emotional leader on the court, becoming the face of a new era for the Angels and raising the bar for the entire league.
[ALSO READ: PVL: How Kalei Mau, Lindsey Vander Weide led Brooke Van Sickle to Petro Gazz]
First All-Filipino championship
The year 2025 marked a historic milestone for Petro Gazz.
In April 2025, the Angels captured their first-ever All-Filipino Conference championship – a trophy that had eluded them in prior seasons.
Before a raucous crowd at the PhilSports Arena, Petro Gazz dethroned Creamline in four sets in a pulsating Game 3 Finals decider.
This breakthrough All-Filipino triumph cemented Petro Gazz’s status among the PVL elite, as the Angels finally reigned supreme in an All-Filipino conference after years of coming up just short.
Two PVL titles to end 2025
The Angels’ banner 2025 season didn’t stop with one title.
In the year’s closing tournament, Petro Gazz also ruled the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference led the returning Vander Weide, achieving a rare two-conference championship for the calendar year.
On November 30, Petro Gazz denied the upstart ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles a fairytale ending, pulling off a four-set victory to win the Reinforced Conference crown.
The triumph gave the franchise its third Reinforced title and fourth PVL championship overall.
Individual milestones and fan moments
Petro Gazz’s journey has been marked not only by championships but also by stellar individual achievements and passionate fan support.
Over the years, Angels players collected numerous accolades, including Van Sickle, who earned three PVL Conference MVP awards during her stint with the team. Meanwhile, MJ Phillips is the Finals MVP from the team's 2025 title runs.
Brooke Van Sickle and MJ Phillips celebrate Petro Gazz's PVL championship victory. | Photo: RM Chua/One Sports
Off the court, the Angels cultivated a loyal fan base, which the organization often credited as a driving force behind the team’s success.
From cheer-filled arenas to victory celebrations, the bond between the Angels and their fans became an integral part of the Petro Gazz legacy.
[ALSO READ: Brooke Van Sickle meets her biggest fan: How ‘Little Brooke’ found light in Petro Gazz star]
As the team takes a step back with its leave of absence in 2026, Petro Gazz’s journey leaves an indelible legacy of excellence, resiliency, and passion.
PVL fans will forever cherish these memories, awaiting the day the team might once again spread its wings on the taraflex.
—
Kiko Demigillo’s journey in sports storytelling began with a deep passion for games and athletes, which eventually grew into a full-fledged career.
Now a dedicated sportswriter, Kiko covers a wide range of beats for One Sports, including the PVL, UAAP, PBA, and various international tournaments.