Erika Santos took charge as Cignal dominated Akari in straight sets, 25-20, 25-11, 28-26, in the knockout quarterfinals of the 2025 PVL On Tour on Thursday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Santos dropped 24 big points, 11 of which came from the second set, on 22 points and two kill blocks to go along with six excellent digs as the HD Spikers advanced to the semifinals.
There, they will face the winner between Nxled and Chery Tiggo on Tuesday, 4:00 PM, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Unang-una ‘yung ano rin, ‘yung tiwala din namin sa team namin, sa players namin, kasi ‘yun nga medyo mahaba ‘yung rest namin before this game. Siguro dun namin ini-ready talaga ‘yung team namin. Kumbaga, ‘yung foundation namin talagang nag-invest kami,” said head coach Shaq delos Santos.
(C) PVL Images
With the 25-year-old opposite spiker leading the way, Cignal unleashed a red-hot 10-0 run in the opening frame, turning a 9-12 deficit into a commanding 19-12 lead. Then Ishie Lalongisip put on the finishing touches to give the squad a 1-0 advantage.
That early surge set the tone for the second frame, as the HD Spikers bulldozed the Chargers for a 2-0 advantage. But the latter fought back and put up a gallant stand in the third — where they kept the set within striking distance until Cignal got the much-needed breaks in the extension.
Holding a precarious 24-23 lead, the HD Spikers nearly let the set slip away after Ced Domingo converted on a running attack, followed by a down-the-line hit from Chenie Tagaod that gave the Chargers a 25-24 edge.
However, Tagaod committed back-to-back errors that flipped the script in Cignal’s favor. Grethcel Soltones then sent the game to another deuce with a perfectly executed off-speed attack that tied the score at 26-all.
Tin Tiamzon then responded with a cross-court kill, and Ria Meneses fired a sharp cross-court hit that was initially ruled out. But after a successful challenge by the HD Spikers, the call was overturned — sealing the win after an hour and 34 minutes of action.
(C) PVL Images
“Kasi alam namin na ‘yung makakalaban namin, talagang mga beterano, and experienced player din. [At] the same time kanina knowing Akari, anlalaki ng players nila, ‘yung attacks nila grabe. And then ‘yung blocks, hirap na hirap din kami,” delos Santos said.
“But ang good thing, first two sets, okay naman kontrolado namin. Pero in-expect din namin talaga na pwede talaga siyang magdikit. Ang good thing, ‘yun nga, kung paano kami nag-prepare and nag-ready,” he added.
Roselyn Doria-Aquino tallied 10 points, while Lalongisip added nine markers. Tiamzon had six points and 10 excellent receptions, while Jackie Acuna finished with six as well.
Gel Cayuna tossed 18 excellent sets to go along with three points and seven excellent digs, while Buding Duremdes recorded 20 excellent digs.
On the other hand, Eli Soyud topped the scoring department for Akari with 13 points on 11 attacks, one ace, and one block. Domingo turned in 11 markers on nine attacks and two kill blocks.
Ivy Lacsina, meanwhile, was limited to just four markers to go along with nine excellent receptions.
