Petro Gazz, BanKo-Perlas take PVL opener

MANILA, Philippines — Petro Gazz shut down Tacloban at the net to fashion out a 25-22, 25-14, 26-24 victory at the start of the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan yesterday.

The Angels posted 11 blocks anchored on Ranya Musa’s four and skipper Stephanie Mercado’s three against the Fighting Warays’ four to highlight their opening day win where they also punched in more attacks, 39-33, and drilled in more aces, 4-2.

Mercado also hammered in 11 kills to pace Petro Gazz with 14 points.Mary Mendrez fired 11, Musa scored 10 while Jonah Sabete added eight.

The Angels, however, would have no respite as they tangle with BanKo-Perlas at the Imus Sports Complex at 6 p.m. today.

“We wanted to let others play (in the third set) because we’ll play back-to-back games. We wanted to get a little rest. It wasn’t too stable but we held on,” said Petro Gazz coach Jerry Yee.

The Angels blew a 23-19 lead in the third set and their first match point, 24-23, as Heather Guino-o willed the Fighting Warays on an off-the-block hit to stay alive but Musa answered on a running drop shot before teaming up with setter Chie Saet for a double block to secure the victory.

Guino-o led Tacloban with nine points all on attacks while Mary Esguerra and Jovie Prado tallied six each for Tacloban.

Petro Gazz led majority of the way in the opening frame and reached set point, 24-18, on a 5-0 tear capped by Mendrez’s hit but held off a late chase by Tacloban as Vira Guillema sent her service wide.

The Angels opened a 5-0 advantage in the second set then sustained their charge behind Musa and Mercado for a commanding 16-5 cushion en route to taking a 2-0 set lead.

Later in the night, BanKo-Perlas also opened its campaign on a high note, trouncing Iriga-Navy, 25-14, 19-25, 25-17, 25-9.

The Spikers conceded the second set but Nicole Tiamzon came through with a flurry of hits in the third then struck anew in the fourth to spark their breakaway and pick up their first win.

BanKo-Perlas returns to the court immediately today, looking for its second straight victory in as many game days against fellow opening day winner Petro Gazz at the Imus Sports Complex in Cavite City at 6 p.m.

Tiamzon dropped five points in BanKo-Perlas’ 8-2 windup in the third to post an 18-13 edge which it preserved to atone for a second set letdown.

She then strung up two straight points on an off-the-block hit and an ace to ignite the Spikers’ searing finish where they erased a 7-8 deficit and held the Lady Oragons to a solitary point.

Joy Dacoron and Dzi Gervacio then went on the firing end after Tiamzon’s back-to-back points to ensure the lopsided set victory.