Angels’ 2-way work could be finals key
Brooke Van Sickle has established herself as a potent scorer in the Premier Volleyball League, especially up front.
But when she rotates to the back line, she wants to be relevant outside of the offense.
“I feel like that’s how the thought process should be with defense,” she said. When I’m not on the frontcourt, then it’s like, okay, what can I do in the backcourt to give back? That’s it.”
Here’s how she gave back late Tuesday evening, with her Petro Gazz squad down a set and desperately needing a win to keep the team on track for a Finals appearance: Van Sickle had 22 excellent receptions and 12 excellent digs to go with her 17 points as the Angels hammered out a 24-26, 25-18, 25-17, 27-25 victory over Choco Mucho in the All-Filipino Conference semifinal showdown.
“I take every play seriously, especially on defense. The better I dig, the better opportunities my teammates get. I always try my hardest to involve everyone and create good scoring opportunities,” she said.
The Angels are now on the cusp of a championship berth and the two-time Reinforced Conference champions will try to lock that spot up with a win over the Akari Chargers on Thursday.
“That’s the goal,” Myla Pablo said of the best-of-three duel for the league’s centerpiece crown. “It will be nice to play again in the finals, but first we must take care of business here in the semifinals.”
Petro Gazz is unbeaten in two semifinal outings, but a loss to Akari could drag the Angels to a perilous tiebreak.
So the team is focused on the Chargers and will do anything to secure a much-needed victory.
And it isn’t only Van Sickle who is aware of the importance of being a two-way contributor during crucial matches.
“If I can’t score on offense or receive, I focus on blocking,” Myla Pablo, who had five kill-blocks among her 13 points against the Flying Titans. “There’s always something else to do on the court.”
Pablo also cited the offense-defense contributions of veteran Aiza Maizo-Pontillas.
“I think she had four blocks,” she noted.
The trio is expected to deliver heavily for Petro Gazz against an Akari team with an array of marquee talent, especially on offense. Eli Soyud, Grethcel Soltones, Ivy Lacsina and Faith Nisperos can light up scoring any time.
