By MARK REY MONTEJO
Petro Gazz regained its fiery form and dismantled Hong Kong’s Hip Hing, 25-8, 25-12, 25-12, to secure a spot in the quarterfinals of the 2025 AVC Women’s Champions League at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City Tuesday, April 22.
Reeling from a four-set loss to Taipei’s Kaohsiung Taipower, the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference champions stamped their class by keeping Hip Hing at bay for a total demolition.
Hip Hing, for its part, was booted out of contention with a 0-2 win-loss record.
With Petro Gazz’s win, all three Philippine-based teams, including PLDT and Creamline, successfully entered the knockout stage.
The High Speed Hitters and the Cool Smashers try to overcome tall odds as they square off with Kazakhstan’s Zhetysu VC and Thailand’s Nakhon Ratchasima Qmin C, respectively.
The Angels, who hoist a 1-1 card, challenge Pool C’s top seed Beijing BAIC Motor in the quarters Friday, April 25, at the same venue.
The other quarters bracket features a showdown between Taipower and Vietnam’s VTV Binh Dien Long An.
Giovanna Day anchored the Angels with 18 points – all attacks – while MJ Phillips and Brooke Van Sickle conspired for 17 points. Aiza Maizo-Pontillas (6) and Remy Palma (6) shone for the local bets.
No players for Hip Hing notched a double-digit output.
The week-long tournament, meanwhile, will take a break Wednesday, April 23, before it resumes its playoff action Thursday, April 24.
