Jia De Guzman IIWANAN si Alyssa Valdez?! NAGSALITA NA!! WALA na bang BALAK BUMALIK sa CREAMLINE?!

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Petro Gazz’s Resurgence Now Fueled By Major Confidence Boost

By RJ Ballecer – August 14, 2024

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The Petro Gazz Angels seem to have stabilized their wings as they continue their bid for a quarterfinal slot in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference.

Petro Gazz’s resurgence continues in the PVL Reinforced Conference, opening their Pool C run in high spirits after beating Creamline in five sets to start a two-game winning streak.

Illnesses hampered the Angels in the first round of eliminations, which led to a bottom-three finish heading into the current round. Including Creamline, they will also face some of the conference’s best teams to close out eliminations.

But after Tuesday, the Angels will head into crunch time with renewed confidence.

“I mean, it’s huge for the team, for sure. [It’s a] confidence boost and just to be able to secure this win is huge for us. Just, you know, because of how our last pool play went,” said Brooke Van Sickle, who fired for 24 points on Tuesday.

Creamline was on a four-game winning streak heading into the match and were third overall in the standings. Leading their charge was fiery American import Erica Staunton, alongside holdovers Michele Gumabao and Bernadeth Pons.

“Creamline is a very good team and we knew coming in that they’re going to push us no matter what. They don’t give up. And it’s just like a dogfight with them. And it’s so exhausting, but they’re all such good players,” said Van Sickle.

“They were top of their pool. So, you know, we just have to, stay consistent, stay together, and just take it point by point, knowing that, teams aren’t going to just roll over.”

Salas finds her stride 

Petro Gazz will also have a fully adjusted Wilma Salas on their side moving forward after the Cuban import scored a conference-best 34 points against the Cool Smashers.

Salas mostly backed up Van Sickle early into the conference. But against Creamline, it was clear that the Cuban had finally unlocked another level.

“Because I know this game is important. And for sure, I say in other interviews, my body is not prepared until two weeks or something like this.  But now I feel more good. So you can see more than this, the Wilma in the court, for sure,” Salas said.

Van Sickle relished her partnership with Salas, whose height is complemented by all-around skills like good digging and passing. The 33-year-old also brings veteran wisdom, having played pro volleyball for about 17 years now.

Salas is a former Cuban national team player and has played in Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Italy before coming to Petro Gazz in 2019. Before the 2024 Reinforced Conference, she also spent her time in Italy and Greece.

(Photo Credit: PVL Images)

“She has a lot of experience and how she will lead the team too. And like in certain moments, she fires everyone up. It’s like, ‘Okay, come on, like we’re not finished’. Like keep pushing, like keeps, you know, keep us going. So I’m very grateful to be able to have this chance to play with her,” said Van Sickle.

With two games left in elimination, Petro Gazz will next face the PLDT High Speed Hitters and Chery Tiggo Crossovers. PLDT has dialed in a quarterfinal spot, while Chery Tiggo remains in the hunt for one.

Like the Angels, both are favorites for the conference. Only this time, they’re set to face a refueled Petro Gazz squad.

“Coming into this pool play, we had to go against three tough teams and be able to secure a win on our first game of pool play is very huge for us. It’s going to be a battle, for sure, with all the teams. You just don’t know what’s going to happen,” said Van Sickle.

“So we have to stay consistent and every team is going to battle. Everyone wants it. So we have to stay focused and positive.”

Banner Image courtesy of the Premier Volleyball League.