BanKo-Perlas celebrates a point against PetroGazz. Arvin Lim, ABS-CBN Sports

MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATED) BanKo-Perlas wrapped up its remarkable run in the quarterfinals by demolishing PetroGazz in straight sets, 25-19, 25-19, 25-19, to barge into the Final 4 of the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference.

Behind superb performances from their imports, the Perlas Spikers dismissed the Angels in just 68 minutes, thus completing a five-game sweep of the quarterfinals.

With the result, BanKo-Perlas stretched its winning streak to seven games dating back to the preliminaries. They will be seeded third in the semifinals and will play the well-rested PayMaya High Flyers in a best-of-3 series starting on Sunday at the same San Juan venue.

“Talagang gusto naming manalo talaga. 'Yung momentum going to the semifinals, 'yun ang gusto namin,” BanKo-Perlas coach Dong dela Cruz said after the game.

“Noong naka-dalawang set kami, medyo okay na kasi kami na 'yung No. 1 sa quarters eh. Pero sabi ko, i-straight natin para maganda ang momentum going to the semis,” he added.

Had BanKo-Perlas lost in three or four sets, they would have had to play Pocari Sweat in a playoff for the last semis spot, while handing PetroGazz the No. 3 seed. The Perlas Spikers would not be denied their place in the Final 4, however.

Kia Bright once again shone for BanKo-Perlas with 21 points on 19 kills, a block, and an ace, while Thai import Jutarat Montripilia added 12 points, 12 digs, and six receptions. Nicole Tiamzon added nine points, and the Perlas Spikers feasted on the Angels' 23 unforced errors.

The Angels – who were in a must-win situation – stayed toe-to-toe with the Perlas Spikers in the early goings, but faltered in the closing stretch of every set.

In the third frame, PetroGazz had a slim 17-16 lead off a running hit by import Olena Lymareva-Flink, but the Perlas Spikers pulled away after that. A net violation by PetroGazz touched off a 9-2 closing run, capped by an off-the-block hit by Nicole Tiamzon to wrap up the win for BanKo-Perlas.

PetroGazz last threatened when Anastasia Trach fired a down-the-line kill then came up with a block of Bright to make it a one-point game, 20-19. But Bright made up for her error with a smash off the PetroGazz blockers in the next rally, and the Angels faded from there.

“Noong third set, kumbaga relaxed na kami,” said dela Cruz. “Kasi alam namin na No. 1 na kami sa quarters, so magaan na 'yung pakiramdam ng players, madali na sa kanila mag-laro kanina.”

The loss ousted PetroGazz from the semis hunt; they wrapped up their quarterfinal campaign with a 3-2 win-loss record. Lymareva-Flink led the Angels with 17 points, while Trach added 13 markers.
 

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