Cignal overcame a third-set hiccup to snap Choco Mucho’s two-game winning streak, 25-18, 25-18, 20-25, 25-22, and share the top spot in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference, Thursday at the Philsports Arena.
The HD Spikers had plenty of heroes in the match, with five players finishing in double digits, including playmaker Gel Cayuna, as they tied PLDT for the top spot with identical 3-0 records.
Cayuna continued to shine with her all-around play, tallying 16 excellent sets to go along with 11 points, which included seven attacks, three blocks, and one ace. Her stellar performance helped propel Cignal to their third consecutive win to open the all-local tournament.
Jackie Acuña stepped up in place of Roselyn Doria, who is in Pangasinan preparing for her wedding, leading the team with 14 points, including five kill blocks.
Team captain Ces Molina also contributed 14 points, with 12 coming from attacks.
Vanie Gandler and Riri Meneses added 10 points each, with Meneses also contributing 14 excellent digs and five excellent receptions.
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“Very thankful and blessed of course kasi kanina grabe yung labanan. Siyempre sobrang happy and proud sa team kasi kita ko yung pagod talaga, especially nung gumalaw na rin talaga nang maganda yung Choco Mucho, which is yun yung inexpect namin,” said HD Spikers head coach Shaq delos Santos.
After securing a crucial third-set win, the Flying Titans threatened to take the match to a decider, tying the fourth set at 18-all after a couple of errors from Cignal.
However, Ces Molina and Jovelyn Fernandez engineered a 5-1 run, putting Cignal ahead 23-19.
Royse Tubino kept Choco Mucho in the game with back-to-back off-the-block hits, but Vanie Gandler delivered a crucial hit to put the HD Spikers at match point, 24-21.
Tubino saved one match point to keep her side alive, but a costly error from Dindin Santiago-Manabat sealed the victory for Cignal after more than two hours of action.
“But ang good thing kasi, nakapag-invest na rin kami ng good two sets. Good thing siyempre na nakuha, napanalo namin siya,” said the veteran coach.
Cignal now has an eight-day break before traveling to Cebu to take on Nxled on November 7.
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Meanwhile, Choco Mucho’s resurgence, following a debut loss to Petro Gazz, was halted as they slipped to eighth place in the standings with a 2-2 record.
Sisi Rondina paced the Flying Titans with 24 points, including 22 attacks, two service aces, and six excellent receptions.
Tubino added 15 points off the bench, along with 12 excellent digs, while Manabat chipped in 11 markers.
