By Ren Azrack L. Escosio
The long wait is over for the Petro Gazz Angels, who have won their first Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference title by defeating reigning champions Creamline Cool Smashers in Game 3 of the finals.
During Game 1, Petro Gazz defeated Creamline in five sets, with scores of 25-17, 25-20, 18-25, 20-25, and 15-10. It was another five-setter during Game 2 as the Cool Smashers prevailed 25-15, 16-25, 25-21, 15-25, and 15-9.
The Angels then ended Creamline’s five-peat bid in Game 3 of the finals, winning 25-21, 25-16, 23-25, and 25-19 to end their conference run on a high note.
Since joining the PVL in 2018, the Angels had managed to win two Reinforced Conference titles in 2019 and 2022, respectively, but the All-Filipino title has eluded them until now.
They had chances to secure their first title in 2019, 2022, and 2023 but were defeated by the Cool Smashers in the championship match each time.
Dream come true
The title win is a dream come true for veteran setter Chie Saet, who had previously told One Sports that the Petro Gazz team was really determined to win the All-Filipino Conference.
Saet said during an interview that she wanted to give her best in their matches in order to leave a lasting legacy for the team before calling it quits in her professional career.
The conference triumph was likewise special for 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference Most Valuable Player Brooke Van Sickle because it was her first experience competing in the finals.
“I’m just really proud of the team. We persevered through a lot. We had a lot of ups and downs. I’m just so proud,” Van Sickle told Tiebreaker Times. “You know, everyone just has that fighting spirit and everyone’s just great people, on and off the court, just selfless people.”
The University of Hawaii product earned her second-straight MVP award since joining the Petro Gazz team.
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Heartbreak for defending champs
On the other side of the court, the end of the longest women’s volleyball tournament in Philippine history also served as a heartbreak for the Cool Smashers, who failed to defend their All-Filipino crown.
The squad was aiming for a five-peat after winning the All-Filipino Conference title in 2023 and the All-Filipino, Reinforced, and Invitational tournaments in 2024.
Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses admitted that the loss was a huge disappointment for the dominant Filipino women’s volleyball team but stressed that the players were already shifting their focus to the next tournament.
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Jheruleene Anne Ramos 
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