MANILA, Philippines – For the first time since 2023, the Petro Gazz Angels are back in the PVL All-Filipino title series after sweeping the round-robin semifinals, capped with a 25-22, 25-20, 25-18 ouster of the Akari Chargers at the Araneta Coliseum on Thursday, April 3.
With the straight-set loss, the Chargers (1-2) can no longer force a do-or-die playoff on Saturday, April 5, for the second finals spot should Choco Mucho (0-2) stun sister team Creamline (1-2) in the other semis game of the Thursday slate.
In the event of a Choco Mucho win over Creamline to force a 1-2 standings triple tie, the Flying Titans will earn at least 2 match points for a total of 3, while Creamline is already at 3 points even before their sister team showdown.
With Akari at just 2 points, it will be the odd team out in the computation as the PVL will only choose the top two teams with tied records to lock in the playoff game for the second finals spot, which in this case will again be Choco Mucho and Creamline.
A Creamline win will be even simpler as it will rise to a 2-1 record, thus outright clinching the last finals berth to arrange a rematch with rival Petro Gazz.
Two-time PVL MVP Myla Pablo stayed red-hot in her resurgent conference run with 16 points built on 4 blocks, just two days after netting 5 rejections against Choco Mucho to lead the Angels’ finals return, while reigning conference MVP Brooke Van Sickle rose to her PVL finals debut with 15 points.
Grethcel Soltones paced the ousting loss with 14 points as Akari gets relegated to the bronze medal series with the next team to be eliminated from the title race. – Rappler.com