The 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference is now down to two teams: Zus Coffee Thunderbelles and Petro Gazz Angels. This after the second and fifth seeds defeated their respective opponents on Thursday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Zus Coffee and Petro Gazz won in contrasting fashion, but they are through to the semis and will now be facing off for all the marbles.
Petro Gazz Outlasts Akari in Epic Five-Setter
The Petro Gazz Angels, seemingly headed for a three-set romp, had to dig deep in the face of a spirited Akari Chargers fightback to pull out a thrilling 25-19, 25-17, 15-25, 22-25, 15-13 victory and seal the first Finals slot.
Brooke Van Sickle led the way for Petro Gazz with 23 big points, while import Lindsey Vander Weide was a steady force with her 16 markers. Myla Pablo continued her playoff resurgence by adding 14, with MJ Phillips chipping in 13 of her own. Petro Gazz needed every one of those points as it had to fend off Akari’s charge after falling down two sets to nil early.
Import Annie Mitchem typified Akari’s inspired effort with a match-high 28 points followed by 16 from Ced Domingo and 12 from Grethcel Soltones. Their efforts, though, weren’t enough for the Chargers to overcome the hot start of Petro Gazz and its steady finishing kick to seal the match.
Zus Coffee Delivers Command Performance in Sweep of PLDT
It appears the clock isn’t striking midnight yet on the Zus Coffee Thunderbelles’ Cinderella run. Perhaps it won’t after the upstart squad swept the highly favored PLDT High Speed Hitters, 25-22, 28-26, 25-22, to clinch a date with Petro Gazz.
Anna DeBeer led the way with yet another sensational showing, firing 30 big points to lead Zus Coffee to a spot it hasn’t been in franchise history. Chinnie Arroyo added 14, AC Miner chipped in 8, and Jovelyn Gonzaga delivered 7 to provide enough support to the talented American.
Anastasiia Bavykina paced PLDT with 16 points, followed by 15 from Savi Davison. The High Speed Hitters, though, just didn’t have an answer for DeBeer and the Thunderbelles, who showed tremendous composure in fighting off the two-time champions.
Next Up in the PVL Reinforced Conference: The End Is Here
The PVL Reinforced Conference is down to its final play date on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The Akari Chargers and PLDT High Speed Hitters will open hostilities at 2:00 p.m. with the battle for bronze. The battle for gold between the Zus Coffee Thunderbelles and Petro Gazz Angels will follow at 5:00 p.m.
