The Cignal HD Spikers booked their ticket to the semifinals after ousting the Cocolife Asset Managers in straight sets, 25-17, 25-10, 25-20, in the quarterfinals of the All-Filipino Conference, Thursday evening in the Filoil Flying V Centre.
Jovelyn Gonzaga led Cignal with 11 points, all on kills. Supporting her were Rachel Daquis and Royse Tubino, both with 10 markers each.
The HD Spikers are set to meet the La Salle-laden F2 Logistics in the semifinals on Thursday, July 6. And Coach George Pascua knows that more than the competition of volleyball skill, their semis match will be a test of character and experience.
“Kailangan namin mag step up palagi kasi labanan ng character, mabigay namin maximum potential ng mga players namin,” Pascua said. “Sabi ko nga sa players ko, alam niyo na bawat isa ang galaw ng kalaban, ang ‘di mo lang kayang tumbasan ay kung gaano ka katapang at kung gaano ka katalino sa laro.”
It was a well-controlled game by Cignal as early as the first set, as they built a lead up to 11 points, 15-4. Cocolife inched within 20-17 but were silenced by Gonzaga’s attacks. Cignal closed the first set at a 25-17 scoreline.
Cignal continued their rampage in the second set and only allowed the Asset Managers to 10 points.
The third set was a tighter affair, after Cignal’s consecutive errors rewarded Cocolife a deadlock at 11-all. Michele Gumabao and Wensh Tiu took advantage but the HD Spikers’ composure led by Gonzaga remained intact. Cignal finished the match at 25-20.
Cocolife’s Denden Lazaro had limped out of the game early in the first set after hurting her ankle, only to come back in the third and final frame.
Cignal limited Cocolife attackers to only single digits. Gumabao listed seven points, while Tiu added five.
The Scores:
Cignal (3) – Gonzaga 11, Daquis 10, Tubino 10, Paat 9, Mercado 2, Macatuno 2, Saet 2, Morada 1, Carlos 0, Marciano 0, Onofre 0, Torres L, Dionela L.
Cocolife (0) – Gumabao 7, Tiu 5, Palec 4, Sandoval 4, Cayuna 2, Bunag 1, Francisco 1, Villareal 1, Esperanza 0, Dizon 0, Tejada 0, Alkuino 0, Lazaro L, Dusaran L.
