The Cignal HD Spikers completed a resounding sweep of Group B in the 2018 Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga Invitational Cup, handling the Cocolife Asset Managers in straight sets, 25-21, 25-21, 25-22, at the Muntinlupa Sports Coliseum.
Cignal HD finished the group stage with a 4-0 record and emerged with an outright semis seed. Smart Prepaid and Sta. Lucia both settled for quarterfinals spot out of Group B.
The HD Spikers fended off several close calls in the opening and closing sets. Sitting comfortably on a 24-15 lead, Cignal allowed Cocolife to build a 6-0 blitz before Rachel Daquis capped the first set with a backrow swing.
Escaping a 14-16 gap, Cignal slowly regained momentum in the third set. Thanks to hits from National Team pool member Mylene Paat, the HD Spikers closed the match on an 11-6 run, ended again with a Daquis stab from the backline.
Coming into the match, Cignal HD head coach Egdar Barroga had his mind on the family storyline, as he faced his daughter and Cocolife’s leading scorer Gyra Barroga.
When the semis at stake, however, were brought to his attention, Barroga immediately instructed his wards to shift focus.
“Sinabi nga sa akin na if matalo kami dito, delikado pa ‘yung semis namin. Thakfully, nag-step up si Rachel. Nag-beastmode talaga siya,” said Barroga as Daquis finished with 15 points. Paat led the HD Spikers with 16 markers.
The younger Barroga managed Co four points, while La Salle standout Justine Tiu added seven.
The Scores
Cignal HD (3) – Paat 16, Daquis 15, Vuvas 6, Tubiera 5, Aguilar 4, Salamagos 4, Sante 2, Macatuno 1, Navarro 1, Masangkay 0, Miralles 0, Amutan (L), Dionela (L)
Cocolife (0) – Tan 8, Tiu 7, Bangad 4, Barroga 4, Fabay 4, Pena 4, Alkuino 3, Tejada 3, Esperanza 1, Patnongon 1, Tongco 0, Yongco 0, Dusaran (L), Lazaro (L)
