THE Petro Gazz Angels released a statement on a controversial call in their semifinals match against Creamline in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.

The Angels absorbed a four-set defeat at the hands of Creamline, 27-25, 23-25, 27-25, 26-24, last Thursday, May 2.

But the loss was not easily put to rest as netizens shared their cents on first referee Bobby Celso's call late in the third set, where Petro Gazz nears a 2-1 set advantage.

Petro Gazz said in a statement that the team disagrees with some of Celso's calls as Alyssa Valdez slammed a crosscourt hit that was first called that sailed outside, and the call was reversed after the linesman dubbed that it was a ball touch.

"Much of the reaction by netizens on social media was due to what perceive as controversial calls or non-calls at the end of third set, most significant moment being the spike of Alyssa Valdez over Aiza Maizo-Pontillas and MJ Phillips," Petro Gazz said in a statement on Friday night, May 3.

After Valdez's spike, Maizo-Pontillas then protested that there was no ball touch on the end of the Angels. However, Petro Gazz had already exhausted its challenge to stand against the call.

With no challenges left, the Angels argued verbally, and a slight commotion happened as the crowd and coaches protested with the reversal.

In a statement, Petro Gazz shared how the officiating could have been handled better.

"He could have insisted on his first call [awarding the point to Petro Gazz]. Creamline could then challenge, as Petro Gazz has no challenge left. The play could have been shown on the screen for all to see, that would have ended it all."