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PVL: Wilma Salas, Petro Gazz cool off rival Creamline in five-set thriller

Pao Ambat

Tuesday, August 13, 2024

Wilma Salas the the rest of the two-time defending champion Petro Gazz Angels get their first winning streak of the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference at the expense of rival Creamline.

Back-to-back wins for the Petro Gazz Angels after upending the Creamline Cool Smashers in an instant classic five-setter. | Photo (c) PVL

The heaven smiles on Petro Gazz anew.

Wilma Salas took matters into her own hands, powering the Angels to a gutsy 25-23, 25-19, 20-25, 23-25, and 15-12 win against the rival Creamline Cool Smashers in Pool C action of

the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference at the PhilSports Arena, Tuesday, August 13.

Salas uncorked a conference-best 34 points built on 33 attacks, one block and 17 excellent digs, willing the two-defending champions to victory as Petro Gazz averted a monumental collapse for a much-needed win, rising to an even 3-3 record in the combined standings.

The Angels’ victory also marked the end of Creamline’s four-game winning streak as the Cool Smashers now drop to 4-2 and missed a chance of securing a quarterfinal seat in the import-laden tournament.

Regining All-Filipino Conference MVP Brooke Van Sickle provided the much-needed boost with 24 markers as two combined to outshine Creamline’s dynamic 1-2 punch in Erica Staunton and Bernadeth Pons, who tallied 47 points total.

The final set featured seven deadlocks before Van Sickle scoring her 23rd point, veteran playmaker Chie Saet delivering a timely ace, and Aiza Maizo-Pontillas blasted a left-handed shot that gave the Angels a crucial three-point lead, 12-9.

Despite Creamline closing the gap with two consecutive points, Van Sickle struck back with a crucial off-the-block hit against Michele Gumabao. Although a successful challenge by the Cool Smashers kept the pressure on, Salas sealed the win for Petro Gazz behind an unstoppable off-the-block attack for her 34th and final point of the match. .

After dominating the first two sets, the Angels looked poised for a sweeping win only to face a fierce comeback from the Cool Smashers, who stormed back after cruising in the third set before pulling through in a tight fourth-set saga that forced a fifth and deciding set.

“I appreciate Creamline. It was a good game. Today my team, everyone, all 14 players did their best performance,” said Petro Gazz coach Koji Tsuzurabara after the match.

Staunton put up a conference-best 30 markers, but her best game yet wearing a Creamline uniform was to put to waste as Pons chipped in 17 markers of her own while Gumabao added 13 points.

Still missing in action for the Cool Smashers are superstars Alyssa Valdez, Tots Carlos and Jema Galanza.

Up next for the Angels are the PLDT High Speed Hitters, while the Cool Smashers are set to face sister team Choco Mucho Flying Titans on Saturday, August 17.