Petro Gazz, the last team to secure a semifinal berth and the only one to survive a sudden-death match, is now on the verge of becoming the first team to book a spot in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Finals.

The Angels delivered a remarkable 24-26, 25-18, 25-17, 27-25 victory over Choco Mucho, overcoming a six-point deficit in a dramatic fourth-set turnaround on Tuesday night, April 1, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.

Epic Fourth-Set Comeback

Choco Mucho looked poised to force a deciding fifth set after building a 21-15 lead in the fourth. However, Petro Gazz stunned the Flying Titans with an 8-0 run, setting the stage for a thrilling finish.

The Angels blew three match points at 24-22, but Myla Pablo stepped up in the clutch. Despite a difficult low set from Djanel Cheng, Pablo hammered a powerful kill before sealing the victory with a well-placed tip.

“We just stayed together, stayed calm, and remained patient,” said Brooke Van Sickle, who starred in the crucial rally. “Choco Mucho did a fantastic job. It’s tough to score and perform at such a high level against them.”

The intense finish was further heightened by an inconclusive referee’s challenge on a critical ball-in/ball-out call. The original decision stood, awarding a point to Choco Mucho, but Petro Gazz regrouped and closed out the match.

One Step Closer to the Finals

With a 2-0 record, Petro Gazz now holds a commanding position in the Final Four standings. A win by Akari over Petro Gazz and a Creamline victory against Choco Mucho on Thursday could create a triple tie at 2-1, but the Angels are now the favorites to secure a Finals spot.

For Choco Mucho, the heartbreaking defeat left them at 0-2, putting their championship hopes in serious jeopardy.

Cheng and Pablo Deliver in the Clutch

Setter Chie Saet orchestrated another masterful playmaking performance, utilizing the Angels’ attackers efficiently. However, it was Djanel Cheng who stole the show in the clutch moments.

Cheng’s back-to-back aces erased the six-point deficit, and her decision to set up Pablo for the final points sealed the win.

Aside from Van Sickle’s 17-point explosion, Pablo finished with 13 points, while MJ Phillips added 14 markers. Jonah Sabete, Aiza Pontillas, and Ranya Musa provided additional firepower with nine, eight, and seven points, respectively.

On the other side, Sisi Rondina delivered a game-high 25 points, but her heroics weren’t enough. Isa Molde chipped in 12 markers, while Cherry Nunag and Royse Tubino contributed eight and six points, respectively.

Defense Wins Championships

Petro Gazz’s defense played a crucial role in neutralizing Choco Mucho’s attack. The Angels’ blocking and floor defense limited Rondina’s offensive impact in the second and third sets, allowing them to seize control.

The third set saw Petro Gazz capitalize on Flying Titans errors, pulling away in the latter stages. Van Sickle and Pablo led the finishing charge, helping the Angels secure a comfortable win.

With their momentum at an all-time high, Petro Gazz now stands just one step away from a return to the PVL Finals.