Cignal captured bronze in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League Second All-Filipino Conference after defeating Chery Tiggo in Game 2, 18-25, 25-21, 25-22, 26-24, to complete the sweep in the battle for third on Saturday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
This is the HD Spikers’ fourth third-place finish in the country’s premier volley league organized by Sports Vision and backed by Mikasa, BingoPlus, ArenaPlus, SMART, Rebisco, Milcu, Kumu, Asics and SportRadar.
Cignal also rounded out the podium of the previous Invitational Conference — which Japanese guest team Kurashiki won against Creamline — by beating the now-defunct F2 Logistics.
“Number one thank you kay Lord, naka-survive kami. Yeah, na-get namin yung bronze medal and hopefully, mas kuminang ‘to sa mga susunod na conferences,” said HD Spikers coach Shaq Delos Santos.
Chin Basas provided the spark in the second set that allowed the HD Spikers to pull away from an 18-all deadlock to a 25-21 equalizer. Meanwhile, starters Vanie Gandler and Jovelyn Gonzaga threw the crucial hits in the third to gain control of the match, 25-22.
With Cignal at match point, 24-22, Eya Laure came through with a through-the-block hit between Gandler and Riri Meneses before Pauline Gaston’s off-the-block spike forced a deuce.
However, Gandler responded with a point before Laure’s attack from the backrow went wide for the win. The Crossovers called for a foot fault challenge, prolonging the game, but it was denied by the referees after a few minutes.
Gandler followed up her 21 points in Game 1, which they won 25-19, 21-25, 25-15, 25-20, with 22 big points.
“I’m just very, very, very happy because I know how tired we are. I know how much work we’ve put in and we’ve sacrificed so much. And today I really felt the fight from each player, each coach, up to the management. So I’m very thankful,” said the Ateneo product, who is just in her second conference in the professional ranks.
Molina added 14 points, while Gonzaga had 12 to go with 11 digs and seven excellent receptions.
On the other hand, Laure delivered 17 points for the Crossovers, who also received 16 points from Mylene Paat.
Cess Robles and Gaston also chipped in 13 and 11 points, respectively, while Jen Nierva dazzled with 23 excellent receptions and 16 digs.
