November 30, 2025 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — Nakatutok ang Petro Gazz sa pagkopo sa ikaapat na titulo matapos magreyna noong 2019, 2022 at 2024.
At ang bagitong ZUS Coffee ang nakaharang sa kanilang misyon.
Haharapin ng Gazz Angels ang Thunderbelles ngayong alas-5 ng hapon para sa gold medal sa one-game championship ng 2025 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference sa Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Pag-aagawan ng PLDT High Speed Hitters at Akari Chargers ang bronze medal sa alas-2 ng hapon.
“It’s easy to coach this group. They’re tightly knit. Most of them, aside from the import, have won a championship together. When things get tough, they stay composed,” ani coach Gary Van Sickle sa kanyang Petro Gazz team. “They make plays. They make my job easier.”
Tinakasan ng tropa ni Van Sickle ang Akari, 25-19, 25-17, 15-25, 22-25, 15-13, sa knockout semifinals noong Huwebes papasok sa pang-pitong finals appearance.
Ito naman ang unang finals stint ng ZUS Coffee na winalis ang PLDT, 25-22, 28-26, 25-22, sa semis.
Isasalang ng Gazz Angels sina American hitter Lindsey Vander Weide, Fil-Ams Brooke Van Sickle at MJ Phillips kasama sina Myla Pablo, Jonah Sabete at rookie setter Jules Tolentino.
Si Vander Weide ang kanilang import nang pagreynahan ang 2022 PVL Reinforced Conference.
“We were shaky at the beginning, and everyone was like, ‘Okay, we have time.’ But once we turned it around, I knew we’d make the playoffs,” sabi ni Vander Weide na college teammate ni Brooke Van Sickle.
Aminado si Thunderbelles’ coach Jerry Yee na dehado sila bilang first-timer sa PVL Finals.
“Yes, underdog kami,” sabi ni Yee. “But the management is already very happy we reached the semis. They told us: ‘No pressure. Play freely.’”
Muling aasahan ng ZUS Coffee sina American import Anna DeBeer, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Chai Troncoso, Chinnie Arroyo, rookies AC Miner at Riza Nogales at setter Cloanne Mondoñedo.
Tinalo nila ang Petro Gazz, 25-22, 25-21, 25-20, sa una nilang pagtutuos noong Oktubre 28.