Surviving the initial first-set shock, the Cignal HD Spikers again thwarted the Petron Blaze Spikers in the Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Cup, earning a four-set win in the second round 11-25, 25-23, 29-27, 26-24 at the Filoil Flying V Centre.
According to head coach George Pascua, Cignal again displayed their propensity for slow starts, especially against great teams like Petron.
“May tendency talaga kaming mag-relax sa una. Parang nagulat, parang pinakiramdaman pa ‘yung mga gagawing adjustments ng Petron. Malakas din talaga ‘yung Petron kaya hindi ka puwedeng magbigay ng espasyo sa kanila,” said Pascua.
Losing the first set by 14 points, the biggest margin they have given up this season, Cignal picked up the pace in the second set. Matching Petron point-for-point, the HD Spikers only pulled ahead late in the frame thanks to clutch plays from Jovelyn Gonzaga that gave them set point at 24-22. The Guimaras-native again salvaged a point off a long rally to tie the match at a set apiece.
The third set followed the same trend with the HD Spikers going to Gonzaga to finish off Petron in a tight deuce. Maica Morada and Royse Tubino then pulled the HD Spikers from a three-point deficit in the fourth set to take the lead, 24-23, setting up another clutch Gonzaga hit to end the set.
“Nagbawas talaga kami ng error. Ang laking problema namin ‘yun buong laro. Buti na lang hindi kami inabutan noong crucial,” added Pascua.
The trio of former Army Lady Troopers anchored Cignal with Royse Tubino leading the way with 16 points while Rachel Daquis and Gonzaga each finished with 14.
Cignal improved to a 4-1 record in Group C, just below Foton (5-0) and above Petron (3-2) and Generika (2-3).
Cherry Rondina, who played just a set and a half, powered Petron witn 14 points while Bernadeth Pons added 12.
The Scores
Cignal (3) – Tubino 16, Daquis 14, Gonzaga 14, Morada 8, Vivas 8, Saet 4, Mercado 2, Paat 2, Carlos 0, Macatuno 0, Dionela (L)
Petron (1) – Rondina 14, Pons 12, Molina 9, Reyes 8, Pontillas 7, Palma 6, Dimaculangan 4, Basas 3, Meneses 2, Hingpit 0, Pineda (L)
