Cignal recovered from a second-frame setback, taking the next two for a 25-19, 20-25, 25-18, 25-21 victory in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference at the Filoil EcoOil Centre on Thursday.
The HD Spikers joined the PLDT High Speed Hitters and the Akari Chargers as early leaders in the six-month-long conference, all with identical 2-0 records.
“Happy kasi nagperform ‘yung team but we know na hindi pa rin ‘yun ‘yung gusto namin mangyari. Ang good thing, while naencounter namin ‘yung ganong situation, nakakarecover kami,” said Cignal head coach Shaq Delos Santos.
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Knotted at 20 in the fourth set, Vanie Gandler, Judith Abil, and Riri Meneses all contributed to the HD Spikers’ decisive 5-1 finishing run.
Gandler started with a crosscourt kill, followed by Abil’s service ace. Meneses then delivered back-to-back quick hits before a Crossovers error sealed the match in two hours and 13 minutes.
Four-time PVL Best Setter Gel Cayuna orchestrated Cignal’s offense with 20 excellent sets while chipping in nine points, including five aces.
Ces Molina top-scored with 13 points, complemented by nine digs and seven receptions. Gandler and Meneses added 12 points apiece, showcasing their versatility.
On defense, Dawn Catindig stood out with 23 digs and six receptions, while Buding Duremdes made her debut with Cignal, going up against her former team.
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“Proud ako sa teammates ko kasi kung ano ‘yung pinaghihirapan namin sa training na iovercome ‘yung pressure lalo na sa end game, talagang nagtatranslate na sa court,” said Duremdes, who now dons the Alas Pilipinas jersey.
Up next for Cignal is Choco Mucho on Thursday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Meanwhile, Chery Tiggo absorbed its first loss of the season, dropping to a 1-1 record alongside the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles and the Petro Gazz Angels.
Ara Galang spearheaded the Crossovers’ offense with 13 points, while Cess Robles and Seth Rodriguez contributed 12 each.
Mary Rhose Dapol also reached double digits with 10 points, as libero Jen Nierva tallied 13 digs and 13 receptions.
Chery Tiggo aims to bounce back on Tuesday against Nxled, also at the Pasig venue.
