Cignal stormed back into the Finals after two years, taking down Creamline in four sets, 25-13, 13-25, 25-16, 25-16, in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference semifinals on Tuesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Super Spikers, now at 2-0 in the round-robin semifinals, completed their long-awaited return to the championship round — marking their first Finals appearance since the 2024 Invitational Conference, where they fell short against the Cool Smashers.
This will also be Cignal’s first Finals appearance in the All-Filipino Conference and its third overall in the PVL since joining the league in 2021.
(C) PVL Images
“Una sa lahat sobrang, thank you kay Lord sa pag-guide talaga sa amin everyday. Siyempre again, lagi ko namang sinasabi nakaka-proud ‘yung team,” said Cignal head coach Shaq delos Santos.
“Alam naman namin kung paano kami nag-start, paano namin tinrabaho ang lahat ng ‘to. And good thing kasi ‘yung eagerness ng bawat isa, especially nung mga starting six na grabe ‘yung effort. Ayun, sobrang happy and proud talaga sa team,” he added.
The Super Spikers leaned on Vanie Gandler in a tense stretch early in the fourth set. She delivered four points in a decisive 7-1 run that quelled Creamline’s rally and built a commanding 21-13 cushion that Cignal never relinquished.
Gandler finished with 24 points on 22 attacks and two kill blocks, alongside 10 excellent receptions, to lead Cignal’s return to the finals.
Erika Santos recorded a double-double of 14 points and 14 excellent digs, while Tine Tiamzon added a two-way performance of 14 points and 10 excellent receptions. The two backstopped Gandler in powering the Super Spikers’ statement win.
Rose Doria-Aquino rounded out the double-digit scorers with 10 points.
Gel Cayuna masterfully orchestrated the offense with 29 excellent sets, adding two points, while Dawn Catindig anchored the defense with 21 excellent digs.
Cignal will look to complete a semifinals sweep when it faces winless PLDT on Thursday, 6:30 PM at the Filoil Centre.
(C) PVL Images
Meanwhile, the result sets up a showdown for the last Finals spot, with Creamline at 1-1 and tied with Farm Fresh. Their semifinal fates hang in the balance heading into their Thursday clash at 4:00 PM.
The Cool Smashers’ defeat also effectively knocked PLDT out of Finals contention.
Bernadeth Pons posted a team-high 17 points on 15 attacks and two kill blocks, while Jema Galanza was limited to 10 points but finished with 17 excellent receptions.
