Petro Gazz expresses hope that lapses could be addressed

PHOTO: Sherwin Vardeleon

PETRO Gazz broke its silence with a team statement in the aftermath of a controversial four-set loss to Creamline in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference Semifinals on Thursday.

Photo by: Petro Gazz

The Angels rued what they claimed were a series of shortcomings and contentious decisions made by first referee Bobby Celso in the home stretch of the third set won by Creamline at 27-25.

Sources said PVL officials led by Commissioner Sherwin Malonzo have started a review of the officiating, focusing on the crucial calls in the third set.

“Much of the reaction by netizens on social media was due to what some perceive as controversial calls or non-calls at the end of the 3rd Set, with the most significant moment being the spike of Alyssa Valdez over the block of Aiza Maizo-Pontillas and MJ Phillips.

“While the First Referee initially called the spike out and signaled a point for Petro Gazz, he would reverse his call and give the point to Creamline due to the Linesman indicating that a touch on the ball was made by one of the Angels,” the team explained.

Petro Gazz went on to identify three courses of action that Celso could have taken instead of reversing the original no block touch call made on the floor.

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Photo by: Sherwin Vardeleon

The first of which was for Celso to have ‘insisted on his first call’ in favor of Petro Gazz — one that Creamline can pose a challenge on for block touch which could’ve provided a clear replay of the contested sequence, the team said.

Another measure available for Celso at the time, Petro Gazz said, was to call the intervening linesman and the referee closest to the play to convene and ensure the correct ruling was to be made.

Lastly, the Angels cited the option of a ‘referee’s challenge’ which Celso could’ve used to provide a replay for both teams, fans and viewers alike to see the contested sequence up close.

‘Preserve the integrity of the PVL’

“Unfortunately, not one of those was done. However, we take pride in the fact that our Petro Gazz Angels continued to play with heart the rest of the way. We congratulate the Creamline Cool Smashers; it was a hard-fought game and they prevailed.

While Petro Gazz stated its intent to ‘put this game behind us,’ the team called for prompt action on the league’s end to prevent the reoccurrence of such ‘officiating lapses.’

“We sincerely hope that the officiating lapses can be addressed to preserve the integrity of the PVL. Finally, we put this game behind us. We have played many PVL games, and we will play many more, against Creamline and all the other PVL teams. That, we can look forward to.”