MANILA, Philippines – The PetroGazz Angels overcame a tough challenge from Banko Perlas to boost their bid for a 2019 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference finals berth.

The Angels looked primed for a straight-set win, but stumbled to win Game 1 of the semifinals in 4 sets, 25-19, 25-15, 19-25, 25-12, on Wednesday, July 3, at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan. 

PetroGazz’s Cherry Nunag emerged as the player of the game with 12 points off 9 attack, 2 blocks and 1 ace. 

No. 1 seed PetroGazz aims to sweep the series on Saturday, July 6, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. 

Banko Perlas, the 2018 2nd runner-up, had a strong start to the match until PetroGazz turned them back midway through the opening frame. 

The Angels showed no mercy as they built from a 5-1 start to the 2nd set and stretched the lead to 10 points that gave them a 2-0 match lead.

The Perlas Spikers, though, surprised the crowd with a 6-2 start in the 3rd set and sustained their momentum with captain Nicole Tiamzon lifting them. 

But the Angels proved that the 3rd set was just a hiccup to their performance as they built an 11-point lead, 20-9, in the final frame on the way to wrapping up the series opener. – Rappler.com