Lindsey Vander Weide takes over for the Petro Gazz Angels. PVL Media Bureau
MANILA — Petro Gazz denied Akari's attempt for a reverse sweep, posting a 29-27, 25-22, 19-25, 17-25, 15-11 triumph in the 2025 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference on Thursday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The Angels relied on import Lindsey Vander Weide, who admitted that she wasn't exactly feeling well, punching through 22 points on 20 attacks and two blocks, capped by a three-point personal run in the fifth set to seal the win.
"At the end of the day, we pulled it out. I don't love how we played in the third and fourth set, but the fact that we still won in five after losing the momentum just really shows what we can do as a team," said the American star spiker during the postgame press conference.
Vander Weide said she has a fever that reached 40 degrees Celsius.
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Leading only by one in Set 5, 11-10, the Angels found a lucky break as Akari reinforcement Annie Mitchem suffered an attack error—to which the Chargers challenged for a block touch, but was unsuccessful.
That's when Vander Weide began her onslaught, firing a sharp spike on Justine Jazareno's hands to expand the lead to 13-10.
Angels' Chie Saet suffered a service error, giving some life to their rivals, 13-11, but Vander Weide found the crosscourt hit and the down-the-line kill to wrap up the match that lasted two hours and 33 minutes.
The Petro Gazz import didn't act alone as she found the help in Brooke Van Sickle, who had 19 points, 12 excellent digs, and 13 excellent receptions, and MJ Phillips who registered 13 markers.
Myla Pablo, who is now playing as an opposite spiker for coach Gary Van Sickle, had 12 points.
"First time ko mag-play ng opposite na medyo babad pero siyempre alam ko mahirap pero tinanggap ko as a player kasi I know kailangan ako ni Coach Gary sa blockings," said Pablo. "'Yun lang din naman nasa isip ko, kumbaga ang itutulong ko lang sa loob is 'yung blockings ko."
On the other hand, the Chargers played in yet another five-setter, but this time, they lost--their first defeat in the import-laden tilt.
Mitchem paced their side with 30 points built on 25 attacks, three blocks, and two aces, while Alas Pilipinas middle blocker Fifi Sharma had a stellar play with 18 points dealt on 16 attacks.
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