Myla Pablo: 26 points in Game 1 win for PetroGazz.
Angels zero in on 3rd place
PETROGAZZ bucked a third set loss to beat Choco Mucho, 25-21, 25-16, 22-25, 25-20, and move a win away from claiming third place in the PVL Open Conference yesterday at the PCV Socio-Civic & Cultural Center in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte.
Holding a 1-0 series lead, the Angels can claim the bronze medal with another victory in Game 2 slated at 2 p.m. today.
Already running out of gas by playing their sixth consecutive match, the Flying Titans have lost middle blocker Maddie Madayag to injury.
With the game tied at 15-15 in the fourth set, Madayag injured her left knee upon landing and was brought out of the court on a wheelchair. The former Ateneo standout was brought to a hospital in Batac for an MRI.
Myla Pablo sizzled with 26 points, Grethcel Soltones had 13 points, including two service aces, 19 digs and 16 receptions, while Ces Molina added 11 points and 14 receptions for PetroGazz.
Ria Meneses was solid for the Angels in defending the net, scoring half of her 10 points from blocks.
PetroGazz, which lost to fierce rival Creamline in the semifinals, is gunning for a third consecutive podium finish.
“Usapan talaga naming hindi naman puwede uuwi tayo na walang dala so lahat naman nagbigay ng best lahat nagsalita na sige pagtulungan na natin although Choco Mucho, hindi mo talaga ma underestimate individually and as a group okay naman sila, mental toughness lang talaga as a group,” said coach Arnold Laniog.
The Angels, who underwent a massive overhaul in the off-season, hope that they have learned a lot of lessons from this process.
“Well talagang iba yung tournament na ito, it’s more on the mental game. Hindi na its all about skills talagang sa mental kung paano mag prepare as individual and as a team,” said Laniog.
“So for this game, nag connect lang kami yung mindset namin nag connect at emosyon na handle naming kesa nung mga previous games. Kanina kung sino pinasok naming nagde-deliver. Clear na sa amin ngayon yung hindrances sa game very emotional ang bawat isa kaya ang bilis ma break pag dating sa game,” he added.
Ponggay Gaston had 18 points and 16 receptions while Kat Tolentino contributed 10 points for the Flying Titans.
