PETRO GAZZ, ZUS DISPUTE LAST PVL SEMIS SPOT
AN intense heated clash is expected from Petro Gazz and ZUS as the two teams fight for the last spot in the semifinals of the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
With Creamline, Choco Mucho, and Akari already securing semis tickets, Petro Gazz and ZUS will go neck-and-neck to prove which team is worthy to be in the Top 4 of the league.
The game is set at 6 p.m.
The No. 2 team Petro Gazz got back on its feet and dispatched ZUS via sweep, 25-19, 25-13, 28-26, to tie the series at 1-all, last Saturday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
The Angels trifecta is back as reigning Most Valuable Player (MVP) Brooke Van Sickle put up 18 points, while MJ Phillips and Jonah Sabete churned out 11 markers each to push for a rubber match.
Sabete, who was sidelined for two months shared that she wants to give her all and help her squad to advance to the next round.
"I want to give my all, and there is no tomorrow. That day everyone is off. Everyone is so stiff. Everyone is looking for that one person to step up," she said.
Meanwhile, ZUS, which pulled a surprise sweep in Pool B of the qualification round, took down veteran team Cignal and young team Capital 1 to advance to the quarterfinals.
The young Thunderbelles then stunned Petro Gazz in Game 1 after a 25-21, 25-23, 27-25 win last March 18.
If the Thunderbells want to make it to the semifinals for the first time, they need to orchestrate a tough net defense against Sabete and Van Sickle.
"Blocking changes a lot. If we have good blocking, the transition is easier on our side then we convert it into offense. So blocking will be the first line of defense," head coach Jerry Yee said.
Chai Troncoso and Jov Gonzaga will serve as the team's trusty wingers to possibly gift ZUS to reach its first ever semifinals berth.
2025-03-24T16:37:30Z