In the first meeting between coaches George Pascua and Shaq delos Santos after they switched roles at the Far Eastern University, it was the mentor that got the better of his student, as the Cignal HD Spikers romped the Petron Blaze Spikers in four sets, 25-15, 22-25, 25-18, 25-19, Saturday evening at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
The win boosts Cignal’s chance of entering the next round in the top two, as they sit atop Group A with a 2-0 slate. Petron dropped to 1-1.
“Very familiar na sa akin yung mga players ng Petron kaya naging madali na lang yung adjustment,” shared Pascua, who steered the franchise to two championships back in 2014 and 2015.
Even if Petron were taller woman for woman, Maica Morada and the rest of the Cignal frontline were able to pick up more blocks, having a 9-4 advantage.
“Kailangan namin ma-dominate yung kalaban, kasi dahil malalaki sila kaya kailangan laging nakahanda yung blockers sa kanila,” Pascua added.
Besides the 30 errors Petron committed, it was Cignal’s balanced attack that powered the HD Spikers. Jovelyn Gonzaga led the HD Spikers with 16 points, 14 off attacks and two aces, while adding 13 digs to boot. Royse Tubino added 13 markers.
Ces Molina and Aiza Maizo-Pontillas finished the game with 11 markers each, while Cherry Rondina chipped in 10 markers after scoring 22 points in their opener against F2 Logistics.
Cignal close out their round one campaign on Tuesday, June 13, when they face the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers at 3:00pm. Petron, on the other hand, look to avoid an upset against the Sta. Lucia Lady Realtors on the same day at 5:00pm.
The Scores:
Cignal (3) – Gonzaga 16, Tubino 13, Morada 9, Vivas 9, Daquis 7, Saet 5, Carlos 1, Mercado 0, Macatuno 0, Paat 0, Torres (L), Dionela (L).
Petron (1) – Molina 11, Pontillas 11, Rondina 10, Reyes 9, Basas 7, Meneses 5, Pons 3, Hingpit 1, Tunay 1, Dimaculangan 0, Palma 0, Pineda (L), Duremdes (L)
