Cignal boots out Foton to advance to semis

The Cignal HD Spikers bucked a slow start before turning down the Foton Blue Energy, 26-28, 25-19, 25-19, 25-18, to earn a semifinals ticket in the Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference, Saturday evening at the Filoil Flying V Centre.

With the troika of Rachel Anne Daquis, Mylene Paat, and Royse Tubino doing damage, the HD Spikers knocked out the fourth seeded Tornadoes.

“Pinaghandaan kasi namin ito. Hindi kami nagbakasyon,” said Cignal head coach Edgar Barroga. “Even si Tubino, pinush ko siya, nag-deliver naman siya. And at the same time si Rachel maganda nilaro niya.”

Daquis unloaded 24 points laced with 18 excellent receptions, while Paat dropped 22 hits, including 12 digs.

Tubino was also instrumental with 13 markers for the HD Spikers, who forged a semifinals duel with the undefeated Petron Blaze Spikers on Tuesday at the Muntinlupa Sports Center.

“Eto paghahandaan namin, sinabi ko sa kanila makapasok lang dito another story nanaman. Paghahandaan namin sila at aalamin namin ang weaknesses nila,“ Barroga added.

Mina Aganon delivered 16 points, including 17 digs and 10 excellent receptions. CJ Rosario and returning Shaya Adorador, who came back after missing several games due to tooth infection, had 12 and 11 markers, respectively.