BACARRA, ILOCOS NORTE — The Janine Marciano-led Cignal tripped Sta. Lucia in four sets, 25-22, 25-18, 13-25, 25-20, for its first win in the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference here on Wednesday, here at the PCV Socio-Civic and Cultural Center.
Cignal’s dominance over Sta. Lucia extends back to their days in the Philippine Superliga.
After dropping the third set, the HD Spikers zoomed to an 18-10 advantage off a Fiola Ceballos kill after the second technical timeout.
Aiza Maizo-Pontillas and Mika Reyes answered with two straight hits before an attack error from Sta. Lucia’s side restored Cignal’s lead to six, 19-13.
Jonah Sabete pulled the Lady Realtors to within three, 18-21, but a net violation from their side and a point from Ceballos stretched the HD Spikers advantage to five.
Julia Ipac brought Cignal to a 24-19 lead before Ceballos ended the match at 25-20.
“Nakakaproud kasi ang bilis ng adjustment namin. Imagine one day lang yung wala kaming laro and then may laro na ulit,” said Cignal head coach Shaq delos Santos.
Roselyn Doria put up 14 points founded on five attacks, five blocks, and four aces. Meanwhile, Marciano collected 13 of her 14 points from attacks.
Rachel Daquis added eight points, nine excellent digs, and nine excellent receptions in the win that put Cignal at a 1-1 standing.
Cignal caught Sta. Lucia off guard in the opening set, leading by as much as six points. It eventually took a 1-0 lead through a 25-22 set win.
The HD Spikers were once again in the driver’s seat come the second set. They took a six-point advantage through a couple of aces from Doria, 23-17, before Maizo-Pontillas stopped the bleeding for the Lady Realtors.
Doria blocked MJ Phillips to put Cignal at match-point. Daquis then capped off the set at 25-18 with a kill.
Sta. Lucia looked like a completely different team in the third set, racing to a 25-13 victory to prevent the sweep.
“Good thing din kahit papano lumalabas din ‘yung naging preparation namin. Hopefully, mas mag-improve pa kasi talagang nasa process kami ng transition ng team, so sipag lang din,” he added.
Phillips’ 20-points explosion went for naught as the Lady Realtors dropped to a 1-2 standing.
Cignal will next face the retooled Petro Gazz squad on Friday at 6:00 PM. Meanwhile, Sta. Lucia looks to bounce back against a tough Choco Mucho side on the same day at 3:00 PM.
