PVL: Petro Gazz ends ZUS Coffee’s dream run to capture Reinforced Conference crown

Petro Gazz refused to give ZUS Coffee a fairytale coronation, pulling off a 21-25, 28-26, 25-23, 25-20 victory in the finals to rule the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. 

The Angels spoiled what could have been the Thunderbelles' first-ever title to claim their third Reinforced title and fourth overall PVL crown. 

Lindsey Vander Weide, the same import who led Petro Gazz to the 2022 Reinforced edition, made sure she gets her second championship with the squad by detonating for 23 points alongside nine receptions.

Brooke Van Sickle fueled the local support with her 20-point outing that she spiked with seven receptions while middle blocker MJ Phillips and opposite spiker Myla Pablo chipped in 17 and 14 markers, respectively, as the Angels reigned supreme despite a 0-2 start to the conference. 

Petro Gazz took a crucial third frame victory with Van Sickle and Phillips closing out the frame to move the Angels a set away from their fourth title.

The Angels never looked back with Pablo unleashing a hammer from the opposite side and Chie Saet serving an ace for a 20-14 cushion in the fourth. 

Van Sickle then went down-the-line while Phillips unloaded a running kill with authority as the Angels surged to a 23-18 lead. Vander Weide clinched the championship point while Pablo put the punctuation, swinging from the right side anew to complete the comeback victory.

Despite the loss, it was still a stellar run for ZUS Coffee. 

The wards of head coach Jerry Yee ended the preliminary round as the second best team with a 7-1 win-loss card. They then went on sweeping Capital1 in the quarterfinals before blanking three-peat seeking PLDT in the semifinals to clinch their maiden finals appearance. 

Import Anna DeBeer led the way with 18 points while AC Miner chipped in 16 markers, including six blocks.  

—JKC, GMA Integrated News