Coming off a clinical team performance against PLDT in their curtain-raiser, the Cignal HD Spikers flaunted another balanced offensive thrust while laying waste to the Foton Blue Energy Tornadoes, 25-18, 25-18, 25-10, in the 2019 PSL Invitational Cup, Saturday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
“Tumaas yung level when it comes to instinct. Iba yung galaw nila eh. Kita mo yung depensa, nagawa namin yung pattern namin, although may mangilan-ngilang [lapses]. Pero ‘pag niremind mo go na kaagad sila,” Cignal head coach Edgar Barroga said.
Drawing strength from playmaker Alohi Robins-Hardy, the HD Spikers unleashed a scoring barrage in each of the sets. They have kicked off a 2-0 start to perch atop the Pool A standings.
Robins-Hardy delivered the goods with 19 excellent sets for the PSL All-Filipino Conference finalists, who rained down 41 attacks — most from the duo of Janine Navarro and Roselyn Doria.
Navarro pummeled all of her 12 points from the attacking department, while Doria nailed seven hits for 10 markers.
Cignal skipper Rachel Daquis also carried some of the load on offense. She fired half of her team’s six service aces to finish with 11 markers.
Ranya Musa supplied six points, while Jovelyn Gonzaga chimed in five markers. Cignal defensive specialist Jheck Dionela collected 20 excellent digs and seven excellent receptions.
On the other hand, the Laure sisters showed a glimpse of their potential prolific connection.
Though it came in a losing cause, EJ topped Foton with nine markers laced with 10 excellent digs. Her younger sister, Eya, managed eight. CJ Rosario and Marian Buitre managed five markers apiece for the Tornadoes, who skid to 0-2.
Cignal shall face the Sta. Lucia Lady Realtors on Tuesday, October 1, at the Santa Rosa Multi-Purpose Sports Complex. Meanwhile, Foton take on the PLDT Home Fibr Power Hitters on Monday, September 30, at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
