After a thrilling finals series, the Petro Gazz Angels dethroned the Creamline Cool Smashers from their championship seat after a four-set victory during Game 3 of the series finale of the Philippine Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference last Sunday, July 14 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) Jania Johnson totalled a triple-double for the most crucial match, with 23 points, 18 excellent receptions, and 13 digs. She was aided by Best Foreign Guest Player Wilma Salas who performed with 30 points on 26 kills and four blocks. Jeanette Panaga finished with 10 points off six service aces, while Djanel Cheng did not disappoint with 28 sets. Cienne Cruz totalled 15 digs.
Creamline, who ran with a 12-game winning streak the entire conference until it was disrupted by Petro Gazz during Game 2 of the finals series, looked to three-time MVP Alyssa Valdez, who had 22 points. Kuttika Kaewpin added 17 points with 11 digs, while Risa Sato contributed 10 points.
Petro Gazz head coach Arnold Laniog attests their championship to “answered prayers,” explaining, “These two imports of ours played a big role, but again, of course as a team, we won’t get this just like that if we didn’t have help from the locals. But, the moment they really committed to our goal, I said, ‘This is ours and we won’t let go of it.’”
This is a big leap for the Angels, as last year, Petro Gazz finished at fifth place in the same conference.
Heartbroken by their defeat, Cool Smasher Valdez told the press post-game, “We will bounce back. Going to the next conference, I’m not saying that we’re all equal but I always say to the local players that we will all work because we all want to win,” referring to the All-Filipino Conference that begins on August 10.