Cignal regrouped after a split start and overpowered Choco Mucho in four sets, 25-20, 16-25, 25-19, 25-18, to notch back-to-back wins in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Thursday at the Filoil Centre.
Coming off a sweep of Galeries Tower on opening day, the Super Spikers kept their foot on the gas, sustaining their momentum to seize an early share of the standings with a pristine 2-0 record.
Erika Santos and Vanie Gandler once again led the charge for Cignal. The two delivered when it mattered on offense while providing the steady presence that has anchored the Super Spikers early in the conference.
Santos finished with a team-high 18 points built on 14 attacks, two kill blocks, and two aces, while Gandler added 16 points on 15 attacks and one ace, along with eight excellent receptions. Their efforts helped Cignal regain control after dropping the second set.
(C) PVL Images
“Unang-una, thank you kay Lord for guiding us. Syempre sobrang happy and proud ako sa team namin. Grabe ‘yung investment namin before this game,” said Super Spikers head coach Shaq delos Santos after the win.
“Ayun, laging sinasabi ni Erika [Santos] hard work talaga. Even siya and Vanie [Gandler], grabe ‘yung effort na ginagawa nila mas mag-step up pa,” he added.
Despite struggling to convert their chances, the Flying Titans remained within striking distance of forcing a decider. Then Rose Doria-Aquino stuffed Lorraine Pecaña at the net, igniting a decisive 3-0 run that pushed Cignal to a comfortable 23-17 cushion.
Sisi Rondina briefly stopped the run with a back-row attack, but Tia Andaya’s service error — followed by a Jewel Encarnacion hit through the block — sealed the match and secured the Super Spikers’ victory.
“Kami sobrang blessed and thankful sa dalawang panalo and mas magtatrabaho pa kami. I think inspiration para sa amin ‘to para mas magtrabaho pa,” said delos Santos.
“Mas mag-fo-focus kami sa process kung ano pa ‘yung kailangan, ano pa ‘yung kulang. ‘Yung pag-recover din ng bawat isa, maingatan talaga and maging healthy ‘yung mga players namin, ‘yung buong team, so ayun lang,” he added.
Jackie Acuña also turned in a solid performance with 13 points, highlighted by five kill blocks, while Doria-Aquino chipped in eight markers.
Gel Cayuna orchestrated the offense with 23 excellent sets and four points, and Dawn Catindig anchored the backcourt with 17 excellent digs.
Cignal asserted its dominance at the net, outblocking Choco Mucho, 12-3, and holding a decisive 5-0 edge from the service line.
The Super Spikers return to action on Tuesday against Farm Fresh at 4:30 PM at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, aiming to secure a third straight win.
(C) PVL Images
Meanwhile, the Flying Titans found little room to operate against Cignal’s airtight floor defense, sputtering on offense as they slipped to a 1-1 record.
Rondina led all scorers with 20 points to go with 16 excellent receptions in a losing effort. Pecaña finished with 12 markers, all from attacks, while Eya Laure posted an all-around line of 11 points, 15 excellent receptions, and eight excellent digs.
Dindin Santiago-Manabat added 10 points.
Deanna Wong handed out 21 excellent sets, while Thang Ponce logged 22 excellent digs.
Choco Mucho looks to bounce back on Tuesday in a highly-anticipated clash against Creamline at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
