PETROGAZZ topped Choco Mucho, 25-20, 25-18, 25-21, to capture the bronze medal in the PVL Open Conference yesterday at the PCV Socio-Civic & Cultural Center in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte.

Coach Arnold Laniog was satisfied to see the Angels thrive in an extraordinary conference that saw a back-breaking schedule in the past two weeks that zapped the players’ energy in the bubble.

“Worth it lahat ng sakripisyo and yung mga paghihirap ng mga players or as a team doon sa bubble training namin going here tapos yung one month talaga na nandito kami iba yung experience talaga, emotionally macha-challenge ka mentally,” said Laniog.

Runners-up to Creamline in the same conference after ruling the Reinforced Conference in 2019, it was PetroGazz’s third consecutive podium finish as it remained one of the elite teams’ in the league.

The Angels made a major overhaul during the long hiatus by acquiring Myla Pablo, Grethcel Soltones, Ria Meneses and libero Kath Arado, but their bid to dismantle the Cool Smashers’ dynasty fell short in the semifinals.

Pablo led PetroGazz with 16 points Soltones added seven points and 12 receptions, while Seth Rodriguez had six points.

Veteran setter Chie Saet was the glue that stuck the Angels together with 15 excellent sets to go with 11 digs and four points, while Arado was at her usual best with 12 digs and 11 receptions.

A tired Flying Titans side had pulled their entire starting six, visibly affected by the loss of captain Maddie Madayag, who injured her left knee in the fourth set in last Wednesday’s opener.

The extent of Madayag’s injury remains uncertain as yesterday.

Cait Viray scored nine points, Necole Ebuen contributed seven points while Arianna Angustia and Shannen Palec each had six points for Choco Mucho.

Jamie Lavitoria, the Flying Titans’ alternate setter, tossed in 15 excellent sets while Dancel Dusaran, filling in for Dennise Lazaro-Revilla, had 10 digs and eight receptions.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Theodore P. Jurado