Petro Gazz, Cignal sweep Farm Fresh, Foton as PVL returns from 10-day break
Petro Gazz and Cignal showed no signs of rust after sweeping their respective opponents as the 2023 PVL Invitational Conference returned on Tuesday at the PhilSports Arena following a 10-day break.
The Angels managed to escape a tight Set 2 against Farm Fresh en route to a 25-21, 31-29, 25-17 sweep victory for back-to-back wins while the HD Spikers bounced back from a previous loss following a 25-10, 25-16, 25-22 triumph against Foton.
Grethcel Soltones once again starred for last conference's runner-up Petro Gazz, pouring in 16 points highlighted by 15 attacks alongside nine digs as the Angels improved to 2-1 while sending the Foxies to 0-3 hole.
Veteran opposite hitter Aiza Maizo-Pontillas chipped in 15 markers while Nicole Tiamzon and Remy Palma listed eight and six points apiece.
In the second game, the Tornadoes showed some signs of comeback in the third set with Shaya Adorador getting a successful challenge on her down-the-line attack to tie the game at 18-all.
Adorador then completed a combination play for another deadlock at 21 before Ria Meneses rejected Mary Rhose Dapol for a crucial 23-21 cushion. Rookie Vanie Gandler got it through Foton's block before Meneses delivered the game-winning kill.
Ces Molina lifted Cignal with 16 points while Jovelyn Gonzaga and Roselyn Doria chimed in with 14 and 10 markers each to steer Cignal to a bounce back win after losing to Foton last July 1.
Cignal improved to 2-1 while Foton remained winless at 0-3.
The PVL returned after more than a week of rest following the country's hosting of the Week 3 of Men's Volleyball Nations League (VNL) at the Mall of Asia Arena from July 4 to July 9.
—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News