Petro Gazz takes opener

MANILA, Philippines — Petro Gazz needed a strong start and a stronger finish as it turned back Creamline, 25-17, 25-20, 18-25, 20-25, 15-10, last night to inch closer to claiming a breakthrough Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference crown at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Angels were nothing short of magnificent in the first two sets but faltered in the next two after the Cool Smashers came roaring back to force a deciding frame where the former did enough to snatch it and gain the 1-0 edge in the best-of-three series.

Petro Gazz goes for the jugular in tomorrow’s Game Two or in a decider, if necessary, on Saturday.

If it happens, Petro Gazz, winner of two Reinforced Conference championships but none outside it, could finally lay claim to the one trophy that has been elusive for the franchise – the All-Filipino Conference title.

Earlier, Akari rose from the grave and eked out a 24-26, 21-25, 25-15, 25-18, 15-11 win over Choco Mucho in the opener of their own best-of-three duel for third place

“We just want to get this, we really want to win,” said Akari libero Justine Jazareno, who had a match-high 29 digs.

Eli Soyud continued her stellar play and unloaded 24 points that she laced with 20 hits while Ivy Lacsina scattered 20 hits.

“Unlike in our (semifinal) games against Creamline and Petro Gazz, we didn’t give up, that’s the good thing,” said Akari coach Takari Minowa.