Boiling hot: ZUS Coffee shocks Petro Gazz in PVL quarters sweep; Creamline blanks Chery

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ZUS Coffee continues to break barriers with its best PVL franchise performance to date: a stunning quarterfinals Game 1 sweep of mighty Petro Gazz, while champion Creamline also blanks rival Chery Tiggo

MANILA, Philippines – ZUS Coffee yet again covered uncharted territory in its best PVL conference so far, as the rising squad pulled off a shocking 25-21, 25-23, 27-25 sweep of mighty Petro Gazz to take the All-Filipino quarterfinals Game 1 at the PhilSports Arena on Tuesday, March 18.

With the win that snapped the Angels’ 10-game winning streak, the Thunderbelles moved to the cusp of their first semifinals appearance after arguably their best franchise performance to date, featuring five players in double-digit scoring in just three sets over an established PVL contender.

Clo Mondoñedo led the winning charge with 19 excellent sets, Chai Troncoso topscored with 14 points, Thea Gagate and Jovelyn Gonzaga each scored 11, while Mich Gamit and Chinnie Arroyo both chipped in 10 points in a masterful display of teamwork.

Fighting nip-and-tuck all match long, Petro Gazz briefly emerged on top late in the third set, 25-24, in an attempt to save its night and briefly looked victorious after an apparent Gonzaga attack error. Myla Pablo, however, admitted a block touch for a fair play call to instead tie the set, 25-all.

The two-time PVL MVP’s sportsmanship show, unfortunately for Petro Gazz, spelled the beginning of the end as Pablo herself had an error on a cut shot for ZUS Coffee match point, before she again featured on the final play: a solid match-winning block by Gonzaga that sent the arena in a rightful frenzy.

Ever stoic and nonchalant, ZUS Coffee head coach Jerry Yee stayed level headed despite the historic conquest.

“Of course, it’s good that we got our games out as a team. I’m happy everyone contributed, but the job is not over, Game 2 is still there,” he said in Filipino. “Hopefully, we become consistent. Consistency is key, that’s what we’re going for.”

Meanwhile, defending champion Creamline also kept a clean slate to kick off another quarterfinals bid, as the Cool Smashers blanked rival Chery Tiggo, 25-10, 27-25, 25-21, thanks to a vintage 16-point effort by superstar Alyssa Valdez, plus 13 excellent digs and 9 excellent receptions to barely miss a triple-double.

The win not only put the Creamline dynasty on the verge of its 17th straight semifinals appearance since joining the PVL, but also marked head coach Sherwin Meneses’ 100th win as Cool Smashers head coach over the span of just three years since taking over from Tai Bundit.

Fellow three-time MVP Tots Carlos scored 13 in the quick win, followed by 11 and 10 points, respectively, from middle blockers Bea de Leon and Pangs Panaga, all orchestrated by 20 excellent sets from Best Setter Kyle Negrito.

Shaya Adorador was the lone Crossover in double-digit scoring with 10, while Cess Robles and Pauline Gaston each tallied 7 points in the losing cause that sent them on the brink of an early exit. – Rappler.com