Petro Gazz completed a breakthrough five-set comeback over Creamline, 15-25, 25-18, 24-26, 25-19, 15-13, in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference on Saturday at the City of Santa Rosa Multi-Purpose Complex.
Van Sickle registered a triple-double and a career-high performance of 29 points, 12 excellent digs, and 20 excellent receptions to lift the Petro Gazz Angels past the defending champion Creamline Cool Smashers.
Petro Gazz was up by five points in the deciding frame, 10-5, but Creamline responded with a 5-1 run to cut the Angels' lead to one, 11-10, capped by Jema Galanza's block to Van Sickle.
Captain Remy Palma scored off a gift to continue to trail away from the pesky Cool Smashers but she also committed a service error after, 12-11.
Van Sickle hammered two powered kills to send the set to match point as Carlos slammed a crosscourt kill to keep the Cool Smashers alive, 14-12.
Alyssa Valdez showed heart and used a crosscourt hit with hopes of tying the match, but it was all too late as Aiza Maizo-Pontillas did not give the Cool Smashers an opportunity for a comeback as she exerted all her strength to hammer in the finish, 15-13.
In the fourth frame, the Angels were down by two sets to none but they held on with a four-point lead, 22-18. Sabete went for an off-the-block kill and shut the doors for Carlos to take the set point, 24-18.
With one point away, Mary Joy Dacoron committed a service error, giving a point for the Cool Smashers, 24-19, but Aiza Maizo-Pontillas hammered a down-the-line kill to send the match to fifth-setter, 25-19.
Petro Gazz had the opportunity to take the lead earlier in the third frame as they held the third set-point advantage as Van Sickle made a service ace and Jonah Sabete went for a crosscourt kill, 24-22.
However, the Cool Smashers remained unfazed as Carlos responded with a power hit followed by Bernadeth Pons' service ace to vanish the match-point advantage of Petro Gazz, 24-24.
The three-time PVL Most Valuable Player (MVP) stood tall and scored back-to-back loaded kills to allow the Cool Smashers to take the crucial 2-1 set advantage, 26-24.
In the first frame, the Cool Smashers dominated the set after a 19-6 rally to propel themselves to a 25-15 first-set victory.
Petro Gazz gave the Cool Smashers the taste of their own medicine after leading as much by eight points, 21-13, ending the second set with a 25-18 victory.
Carlos led the Cool Smashers with 15 points, while Bea De Leon and Alyssa Valdez chimed in with 13 and 11 points, respectively.
Both teams are now tied with a 6-2 win-loss record.
