Piling up contributions from their star wingers, the Cignal HD Spikers powered past the Smart Giga Hitters, 25-20, 25-20, 25-20, to finish their 2018 Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference first round campaign at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Veteran open hitter Rachel Daquis and 2018 National Team standout Mylene Paat each tallied 15 points for Cignal HD. Royse Tubino added 10 markers.
The trio proved critical in building early leads in each set and staving off late Smart rallies.
Cignal HD head coach Edgar Barroga hopes to build off their positive momentum as they head into the second group phase.
“Tonight, everything clicked for us. My team really showed its potential,” said Barroga. “We’re really looking forward to our continued development heading into the next round. I hope we can play this way consistently.”
The HD Spikers finish the first round with a 4-3 record.
Grethcel Soltones was Smart’s lone bright spot, managing 13 points, as head coach Roger Gorayeb shuffled their lineup throughout the match to no avail.
Smart (2-4) look to put a positive end to their first round when they face the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers (4-2) on Thursday at the same venue.
The Scores
Cignal HD (3) – Daquis 15, Paat 15, Tubuno 10, Doria 4, Salamagos 4, Masangkay 2, Malaluan 1, Navarro 1, Aguilar 0, Macatuno 0, Dionela (L)
Smart (0) – Soltones 13, Malabanan 6, Carandang 5, Urdas 5, Latigay 3, Sta. Rita 3, Nabor 2, Cayuna 1, Singh 1, Villegas 0, Pantone (L)
