Revenge never tasted sweeter for the Petro Gazz Angels.
Returning to the very court where they suffered a humbling straight-set defeat against Creamline earlier in the tournament, the Angels made sure history wouldn’t repeat itself. With a combination of grit, resilience, and standout performances, Petro Gazz stunned the five-peat-seeking Cool Smashers, 25-23, 25-22, 21-25, 25-16, in a dramatic semifinal clash at the Ynares Center on Saturday night.
For head coach Koji Tsuzurabara, this victory wasn’t just about advancing—it was about redemption.
“Before, in our previous match, we lost to Creamline. Same venue, same uniform. So we did everything we needed to do to win this time. Creamline is too strong,” Tsuzurabara admitted after the game, reliving the bitter memory of their preliminary-round loss.
Unlike their first encounter, where the Angels fell in straight sets, Petro Gazz came out firing, catching the defending champions off guard with an aggressive start. Their hunger for redemption showed early, as they took a commanding two-set lead, forcing Creamline into an unfamiliar position—playing catch-up.
Brooke Van Sickle was virtually unstoppable, torching the Cool Smashers with 26 points built on 22 attacks, three aces, and a block. Jonah Sabete provided an equally fiery presence, adding 19 points, while veteran Myla Pablo chipped in 11. Middle blockers MJ Phillips and Ranya Musa fortified the net defense with nine and seven points, respectively.
“Today, everyone played well—Jonah (Sabete), Ranya (Musa), and Brooke (Van Sickle). Even the analysts noticed,” Tsuzurabara said, praising his team’s collective effort.
However, amid the scoring explosions, it was a player who barely saw action beyond the opening frame that the Japanese mentor credited as the true difference-maker—team captain Remy Palma.
“I said today, our hero is Rem (Palma),” Tsuzurabara declared.
Palma, who played only in the first set before giving way to Musa, finished with just two points on the stat sheet. But her presence went beyond numbers. From the sidelines, she embodied the heart and soul of the Angels, constantly rallying her teammates, keeping them focused, and ensuring they stayed locked into their game plan.
“She didn’t play in the second set and beyond, but she constantly gathered her teammates and created a positive atmosphere. She controlled the team, and that’s why we won,” Tsuzurabara added.
What once seemed like a daunting challenge—beating a powerhouse Creamline squad—turned into a reality for Petro Gazz, thanks to their unwavering belief and determination. From the ashes of their preliminary defeat, the Angels rose, proving that while talent wins games, heart wins championships.
