PetroGazz ace Brooke Van Sickle gears up for another standout performance as she faces off against the Akari Chargers, led by Camille Victoria and Faith Nisperos, with a Finals berth on the line. PVL photo
PetroGazz battles Akari
PETROGAZZ hopes to complete a three-match semifinals sweep and gain the needed psychological momentum heading into the Finals as it faces an Akari side trying to keep its championship hopes alive in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference today.
The Angels can still advance even if it lose to the Chargers in five sets in the 4 p.m. contest at the fabled Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Aside from a league-leading 2-0 record, PetroGazz is holding a huge advantage in the points tiebreaker with six points over defending champion Creamline and Akari, which has three and two points, respectively. The Cool Smashers and the Chargers are tied in second place at 1-1.
Coming off a dominant straight-sets win against Akari, Creamline is also gunning for the other Finals berth as it battles sister team Choco Mucho in the 6:30 p.m. mainer.
Winless in two semis matches, the Flying Titans are in dire need of a victory over the Cool Smashers, hoping to force for a three-way logjam at 1-2 and finish at least in third in the tiebreaker to force a playoff for the No. 2 spot.
The Angels are expect their duel with the Chargers match to be just as challenging as their previous battles against the Cool Smashers and the Flying Titans.
“Akari is a strong team,” said PetroGazz coach Koji Tsuzurabara, choosing to keep things simple when asked about expectations and their game plan.
The Angels have not returned to the Finals of the league’s centerpiece tournament since suffering a heartbreaking sudden-death loss to the Cool Smashers in the 2023 finale at Mall of Asia Arena. PetroGazz then finished sixth in the second AFC that same year before clinching third place last season.
With renewed confidence and a collective mindset to overcome all challenges, the Angels, a two-time Reinforced Conference champions, now find themselves within reach of another shot at the championship in a historic edition of the All-Filipino Conference, where parity among teams has been evident.
At the heart of PetroGazz’s surge is Brooke Van Sickle, whose offensive brilliance is complemented by her defensive prowess. Van Sickle showcased her all-around game with a rare triple-double performance – 17 points, 12 excellent digs, and 22 excellent receptions – against Choco Mucho.
“I take every play seriously, especially on defense. The better I dig, the better opportunities my teammates get,” said Van Sickle. “The better I can dig, the calmer it is compared to a chaotic out-of-system play.”
“I always try my hardest to involve everyone, not to put too much pressure on the setters, and to create good scoring opportunities,” she added. “I want to be just as good in offense as I am in the back row.”
The Chargers can advance to the Finals outright and a Finals duel with the Angels, if Akari prevails over PetroGazz coupled by a Choco Mucho win over Creamline.
A playoff for No. 2 will ensue between the Chargers and the Cool Smashers, if the Angels will win the tiebreaker via points in case of a three-way tie at 2-1, leaving Akari and Creamline battling it out for the other spot on Saturday.
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PetroGazz shocks Creamline
