PVL: Soltones, Petro Gazz down new team Galeries

Grethcel Soltones.–PVL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Petro Gazz gave new coach Timmy Sto. Tomas a profitable professional debut after sweeping debuting Galeries, 25-11, 26-24, 25-22, within the 2023 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Convention on Tuesday night at Sensible Araneta Coliseum.

Grethcel Soltones powered the Angels with a game-high 19 factors on prime of 14 digs and 10 receptions as they staved off the problem of the most recent PVL staff within the final two units earlier than prevailing in an hour and 34 minutes.

“We nonetheless lack loads of issues that coach Timmy needs us to do. It must be a easy volleyball however we made it exhausting for ourselves,” stated Soltones in Filipino after dropping 17 assaults, one ace, and a block.

After a dominant opening set, the Angels wanted to struggle again from a 20-22 deficit within the second set as Dimdim Pacres got here off the bench and supplied the vitality for the Highrisers. A few errors allowed Petro Gazz to take the set level, 24-23, however Pacres saved some extent just for Carly Hernandez to overlook her serve adopted by Ranya Musa’s set-clinching hit for a 2-0 benefit.

The Angels pulled away within the third with a 17-10 margin however the Highrisers leaned on Roma Pleasure Doromal and Audrey Paran to chop it down to a few, 23-20. Marian Buitre stopped the bleeding to succeed in match level, 24-20, earlier than Anne Esguerra and Paran saved two factors. 

Nevertheless, Soltones refused to increase the sport as she ended it with an enormous kill.

“I’m very comfortable that we had been in a position to get the win regardless of having difficulties throughout the second to the third set of the sport. They had been in a position to step up throughout the latter a part of the match,” stated Sto. Tomas.

“The stress is at all times there however I’m fortunate to have these sorts of gamers (Aiza Maizo-Pontillas), Grethcel, Chie (Saet), Djanel Cheng, so the entire bunch may be very supportive of each other. That’s our tradition.”

Aiza Maizo-Pontillas chipped in 10 factors, whereas Jonah Sabete and KC Galdones added 10 markers with setter Djanel Cheng shelling out 15 wonderful units.

Nobody from Galeries scored in double figures as Paran had eight factors, whereas Doromal, Esguerra, and Raprap Aguilar added seven markers every.