By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Petro Gazz recovered just in time after squandering a two-set advantage, escaping a feisty Akari side, 25-19, 25-17, 15-25, 22-25, 15-13, to book the first finals berth in the 2025 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Thursday, Nov. 27.
After dominating the first two frames, the Angels found themselves on the back foot as the Chargers’ solid defense fueled a comeback that forced a deciding fifth set. But Petro Gazz stepped up in the clutch, sealing its return to the Reinforced Conference finals for the first time since winning the crown in 2022.
The victory also dashed Akari’s bid to make a return trip to the finals after finishing as runner-up last year.
Brooke Van Sickle was all business throughout the two-hour, 10-minute match, delivering 23 points off 20 attacks and three blocks while also contributing 13 excellent digs and 18 receptions.
Van Sickle lauded her teammates for answering to the challenge of Akari, which they beat in the preliminaries also in five sets last Oct. 23.
“It’s just surreal making it to the finals. Akari definitely pushed us to our limits, mentally and physically… That’s gotta be the most stressful match I’ve played,” said Van Sickle.
“But it’s a good competition, a good battle all the time. We just stayed calm and collected in the fifth set,” she added.
Petro Gazz’s championship poise shone in the pivotal fifth frame, where both teams kept the match tight until the final stretch. Knotted at 12-all, Lindsey Vander Weide fired a down-the-line spike to give the Angels a 13-12 edge.
A costly attack error from Fifi Sharma pushed Petro Gazz at match point, 14-12, but Vander Weide’s ensuing serve sailed long, allowing Akari a brief lifeline.
However, the Chargers’ miscues persisted, as Grethcel Soltones’ attack went out of bounds — handing Petro Gazz the match victory.
Three other players scored in double figures for the Angels, with Vander Weide posting 16 points, Myla Pablo chipping in 14, and MJ Phillips adding 13.
Their efforts overshadowed the strong performance of Annie Mitchem, who pumped in 28 points in a losing cause for Akari.
Petro Gazz awaits its finals opponent as PLDT and ZUS Coffee battle as of this writing.
