The Cignal HD Spikers continued their rampage in Pool A, sending defending champions F2 Logistics Cargo Movers to a four-set loss, 27-25, 25-21, 21-25, 25-19, Tuesday afternoon at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Cignal will enter Pool C as Pool A’s top seeded team, having swept all three of their opponents. F2 Logistics, on the other hand, dropped to 0-2. And first-year Cignal head coach George Pascua is confident entering the next round.
“Lahat ng strong teams nandito sa bracket namin kaya madali na lang yung adjustment,” Pascua said.
Cignal’s pick-ups from Army paved the way to the win, with Jovelyn Gonzaga leading the charge with 18 points, 17 coming off attacks.
Rachel Daquis and Royse Tubino chipped in 16 and 15 markers respectively.
After barely scraping past the first two sets, the HD Spikers surrendered the third set, committing seven service errors. F2 Logistics led by as much as five points during the frame, 23-18, before Gonzaga tried to will Cignal back. A service error by Daquis followed by an Aby Marano kill sealed the Cargo Movers’ sole set win.
“Madami kaming service errors. Naka-pito kami nung set na iyon,” Pascua rued. “Sabi ko bago mag-fourth set, kailangan namin ayusin yung services namin.”
Fixing their service, Cignal raced to an early 18-12 lead, targeting Cha Cruz and Ara Galang during their services. Cruz tried to power the Cargo Movers back, cutting the lead to just three, 18-21. However, Tubino and Daquis proved to be too much, with the latter paying Jheck Dionela’s amazing save for the game-clinching kill.
Majority of Cignal’s points came from kills, as the taller F2 Logistics squad had 12 kill blocks in the contest. Both team’s combined for 16 aces.
Reigning UAAP Most Valuable Player Majoy Baron paced F2 Logistics with 14 points.
F2 Logistics will have the Sta. Lucia Lady Realtors as their final assignment for the round. Their game will take place on Thursday, June 15, at the Strike Gym in Bacoor City.
The Scores:
Cignal (3) – Gonzaga 18, Daquis 16, Tubino 15, Vivas 9, Morada 7, Saet 6, Mercado 2, Macatuno 0, Carlos 0, Torres (L) Dionela (L).
F2 Logistics (1) – Baron 14, Dy 9, Cheng 8, Galang 8, Fajardo 7, Cruz 5, Marano 5, Tiamzon 4, Ogunsanya 1, Santos 0, Saga (L), Macandili (L).
