–Marlo Cueto/Inquirer.net
Brooke Van Sickle knows the Petro Gaz Angels’ path to a deep playoff run in the Asian Volleyball Union (AVC) women’s Champions League.
“We expect to be pushed. All of these are championship teams,” Vansikl said after the Angels fell on Monday 25-15, 25-16, 19-25, 25-20, Taiwan’s Typoare.
But everything is not lost for all PVL All-Filipino champions.
Read: Fresh Off Title, No Pressure on AVC’s Petrogaz – Brookbanchickle
A victory against Hong Kong’s Hip Hingan women’s volleyball team in Tuesday’s final elimination game will send them to the next round of the 12-team continental tournament.
“We have to switch mentality and chase it in the next game. We need to stick together as a team whenever possible,” added Vansikkle, who finished with 13 points, including 11 offenses and two aces.
Petro Gazz Import Gia Day led the price with 16 kills with a total of 18 points. However, the Angels were far from the team that surprised the 10-time Champion Cream Line with an all-Philippine title more than a week ago.
Their 28 forced errors helped to facilitate Taipower’s path, leveraging the host team’s mistakes on clinical efficiency.
Hsu Wan-Yun and Peng Yu-Rou led Taiwan’s accusations and followed Hip Hin’s sweep with another commanding victory to book a spot for the crossover quarterfinals.
Faced with a potential sweep, the Angels fought back in the third set, seizing momentum as the tie power swayed. An error by Lin Cai-Zhen and HSU made Van Sidle attack with a powerful cross and raised Petrogaz to 21-17.
Vansikkul, Isa Maizopontilas and Joy Dacoron combined to finish the set, and Vansikkul sealed it with an ace.
Limited practice time
“I don’t say it’s pressure. [from the championship]. It’s another tournament. Yes, we won the championship, but we moved on,” Vansikle said. The first game is over. From there, settle the bill and move on. ”
Taipower was reorganized in the fourth set, taking control behind Huang Ching-Hsuan and Hsu. A ferocious crosscourt by Peng was shot, and a running attack from Huang opened an 8-point lead, further magnified by Day’s consecutive errors.
MJ Phillips closed the gap to 22-18 by giving the Angels’ hopes a simple spike and block, but Remy Palma’s service error at match points sealed the loss.
On days when practice time with the Angels was limited, I’m not too depressed about my defeat.
“I think this is also my first international tournament, so I’m really excited to play in a different style and see so many different styles in volleyball. I think that’s beautiful,” she said. “Like Brook (Vansikle) said, the teams in this tournament are good at playing together and finding rhythms as a team, so I think that’s something we can learn and it’s really exciting.”
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“I’ve embraced the challenge and look forward to seeing what the future holds. I’m really grateful that they have come here.” inq
