In another dramatic reversal – though not as shocking as No. 8 Akari’s earlier romp over top seed Farm Fresh – the Angels not only survived the frightening early-match loss of import Lindsey Vander Weide to injury, but displayed the kind of collective steel that topples giants.

Against perhaps the league’s most dangerous “do-or-die” team, Petro Gazz clipped archrival Creamline, 25-23, 25-19, 16-25, 25-14, to storm into the semifinal round of the PVL Reinforced Conference at the Araneta Coliseum on Monday.

Vander Weide, sidelined after landing on Ranya Musa’s foot early in the first set, would later return in the fourth set, stabilizing the floor and lifting morale, but by then the Angels had already shown they had the courage – and the firepower – to fight without her.

The moment Vander Weide headed to the bench at the start, the Angels were thrust into a crisis that could have easily unraveled them. Creamline thrives on chaos, on turning momentum swings into emotional avalanches, and has historically buried Petro Gazz in championship turning points.

But this time, the Angels refused to fold.

They weathered the fourth-ranked Creamline’s third-set surge – a dominant Cool Smashers run that rekindled memories of past heartbreaks – and responded by regaining control in the fourth. Their composure, poise and insistence on dictating the tempo revealed a team that has matured beyond its role as Creamline’s perennial foil.

And at the center of it all was Myla Pablo.

Thrust into a starring role she once regularly owned years ago, Pablo erupted for 26 points – 23 of them off emphatic, almost defiant, attacks. From the moment Vander Weide exited, she took on the responsibility with the calm of a veteran and the ferocity of her moniker: “Typhoon Pablo.”

“It was our depth that helped us. When one of our starters went down, I reminded the girls that not everyone gets playing time, but they all need to stay ready for when their number is called. And Myla did exactly that,” said Gary Van Sickle, head coach of the fifth-seed Angels.

“Naglaro lang ako ng walang pressure,” she said after earning Best Player of the Game honors.

“I know na kailangan ako ng team ko dahil sa nangyari kay Lindsey.”

But in true leader fashion, the former MVP spread the credit across the roster.

“Ang maganda ay ‘yung effort ng lahat – tulong-tulong para makuha namin ‘tong panalo,” she said.

Her resurgence didn’t just fill the void – it dismantled Creamline’s early edge and disrupted every adjustment the Cool Smashers attempted.

Brooke Van Sickle backed her up with 19 points while showcasing elite two-way play with 12 excellent digs and 10 receptions. MJ Phillips added 10, Jonah Sabete chipped in five, and Vander Weide, in her courageous return, still contributed six crucial markers.

Rookie setter Jules Tolentino delivered a breakout performance, outplaying many-time awardee Kyle Negrito with 18 excellent sets to the latter’s 15, keeping the Angels’ offense fluid even under pressure.

On the other side, Creamline had its moments – Coco Schwan’s 17, Pangs Panaga’s 14 with six blocks, Tots Carlos’ 13, and steady contributions from Michele Gumabao and Alyssa Valdez. But the Cool Smashers failed to fully capitalize on Vander Weide’s absence, surprisingly dropping the first two sets they were heavily favored to win, unable to match Pablo and Van Sickle’s relentless firepower – and the Angels’ resolute defense.

Petro Gazz may have only chipped Creamline’s overwhelming head-to-head lead to 11-28, but the significance of this win resonated far louder. Against their fiercest rival – one that has repeatedly denied them titles – the Angels finally showcased a brand of resilience that could redefine the narrative moving forward.

From crisis to conquest, they revealed a team no longer defined by its dependency on imports or its past losses to Creamline. They revealed a team ready to chase a third Reinforced Conference crown.

Up next are the defiant Chargers, who stunned top-seeded Farm Fresh Foxies in straight sets. Pablo knows the Angels cannot relax.