Petro Gazz Claims PVL Reinforced Conference Title After Tough Battle with ZUS Coffee

In an electrifying showdown at Smart Araneta Coliseum, Petro Gazz emerged victorious over ZUS Coffee with a 21-25, 28-26, 25-23, 25-20 win, capturing the PVL Reinforced Conference crown on Sunday. Although the Angels took some time to find their rhythm, once they did, they countered every challenge posed by the determined Thunderbelles, solidifying their dominance.

This triumph marked Petro Gazz’s third championship in the Reinforced Conference and their fourth overall title. The win also reinforces their successful 2023 season, having earlier secured the All-Filipino Conference title, a trophy that had eluded them in previous years.

ZUS Coffee started strong, claiming the first set and maintaining control early in the second, hinting at a possible breakthrough championship win. However, Petro Gazz rallied strongly thereafter, turning the tide and firmly taking charge through the remaining sets.

In the third-place playoff, Akari staged an impressive comeback against PLDT, overcoming a fourth-set deficit to win 15-25, 25-23, 21-25, 26-24, 20-18. Trailing 2-1 in sets and down 15-4 in the fourth set, the Chargers rallied back to even the match and carried the momentum to seal victory in the decisive final set.

This marks Akari’s third podium finish as a franchise, following their runner-up performance in the same conference last year and a third-place result in the All-Filipino Conference earlier.

Annie Mitchem was instrumental in Akari’s success, delivering a remarkable 36-point performance, including pivotal plays during the critical fourth-set comeback. Her clutch scoring in the final set proved key to Akari’s triumph.

Akari coach Tina Salak praised her import, saying, "With Annie, I’m very proud. This is the seventh fifth-set match we’ve had and she never wavered or left us. I’m so grateful to her."