Angels fly high with PVL crown

MANILA, Philippines — Lindsay Vander Weide delivered on a promise as she willed Petro Gazz to a 25-17, 22-25, 25-12, 25-22 victory over Cignal HD last night and into the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference title at the PhilSports Arena.

Vander Weide spearheaded the balanced offensive by dropping 19 points to help seal the two-game series sweep and the franchise’s second championship after its breakthrough conquest three years ago.

It came several days after the power-hitting 6-3 American spiker vowed to bring home the trophy following a 34-hit performance in a 25-21, 27-25, 37-35 Game 1 triumph at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“I mean the environment here is like no other, the fans are insane, volleyball is crazy,” said Vander Weide. “I don’t think it had set in and that we won, it doesn’t feel real.”

It was.

After some struggles in the elimination round and early in the semifinals, the Angels peaked at the right time and bested Cherry Tiggo and Cignal to knock nemesis Creamline out of the finals.

And there was just no stopping Petro Gazz after that as it rode roughshod over a Cignal team that failed to find ways to slow down the unflappable Vander Weide.

“We’re so happy that we won after all the sacrifices of the whole team,” said Petro Gazz coach Rald Ricafort, whose ascension from an assistant to head mentor proved to be a masterstroke.

“I would like to give credit to the coaching staff as well headed by Arnold Laniog,” he added.

Creamline added another medal to its massive collection as it swept Chery Tiggo in two games, posting a 25-15, 25-19, 23-25, 25-21 victory to claim the bronze.

The Cool Smashers, who took the opener, 25-22, 22-25, 25-5, 25-19, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last Thursday, went home with their third bronze apart from five championships and two runner-up finishes.

It was a mark of excellence for the Rebisco-owned franchise which has never missed snaring a medal in 10 conferences playing in the country’s only pro volley league.

“We’re happy and grateful for it. It’s another medal on our wall,” said Creamline setter Jia de Guzman, who had 26 excellent sets. “We’re happy with the podium finish because of all the things we’ve gone through and the tournaments we played in, local and international.”

“We want to finish strong, we had a great year and what a way to finish it with a win,” she added.

And the Cool Smashers did it by playing All-Filipino and team captain Alyssa Valdez hurting her knee early in the third set.

“We all knew anyone whoever stepped in for our team can do their role. We really have to dig deep,” said De Guzman.

Valdez grimaced in pain after she awkwardly landed on her right knee while chasing a ball. She was taken out, diagnosed with a knee contusion, never returned and will undergo more tests.

Minus their unquestioned leader, the Cool Smashers got distracted and blew a big lead in the third set that allowed the Crossovers to rally back and snatch it.

It was a momentary loss of concentration as Creamline got back on its feet and emphatically took the fourth set and the match.

Two-time MVP Tots Carlos led the way with 19 points while Jema Galanza, Jeanette Panaga and Ced Domingo scattered 16, 14 and 12 hits, respectively.

Valdez had 10 points of her own before she went down.

“Ate Ly (Valdez) has always been a role model here at this team. Whether she’s off or on the court, we can always feel that she’s cheering for us and the whole team is thankful to her,” said De Guzman.