Petro Gazz stunned defending champion Creamline, taking Game 1 of the best-of-three Finals series, 25-22, 24-26, 25-23, 26-24, on Sunday to move on the cusp of the 2023 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference crown at Mall of Asia Arena.
The Angels picked the perfect time to end a 14-game losing skid against the Cool Smashers as they pounced on the Alyssa Valdez-less squad, nearing its first-ever All-Filipino crown after three tries.
Grethcel Soltones led the balanced attack of the Angels to give Petro Gazz its first win over Creamline, which was back in the 2019 Reinforced Conference Finals Game 3.
The Angels reached match point in the fourth, 24-20, but the Cool Smashers saved four points with Jema Galanza nailing back-to-back kills to force a deuce, 24-all.
MJ Phillips stopped the bleeding with a quick attack to regain the match point advantage, 25-24.
During the final moments of the game, coach Oliver Almadro’s called for a video challenge in the middle of the rally, asking for a net touch. The challenge was successful as Jia De Guzman’s block attempt touched the net, handing the Game 1 win to Petro Gazz.
The Angels try to clinch the crown in Game 2 on Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., at the same venue.
