PASSI — Cignal bounced back with an explosive performance from Erika Santos, dispatching a gritty ZUS Coffee squad in four sets, 25-22, 25-17, 21-25, 25-16, to clinch an outright quarterfinal berth in the 2025 PVL On Tour on Sunday at the City of Passi Arena here.
Santos powered the HD Spikers after they faltered in the third set, delivering a career-high 30 points built on 29 attacks and a block, along with eight excellent digs. Her stellar outing fueled Cignal’s recovery from a disappointing loss to Chery Tiggo the day before.
Riding the momentum of the 27-year-old’s best performance to date, Cignal cooled off the Thunderbelles — who were fresh off their first-ever victory over powerhouse Creamline — and closed the pool phase with a 4-1 record, securing a top-two finish in Pool B.
(C) PVL Images
“Sabi ko nga kanina, bawing-bawi ka kasi kahapon, ang dami ring errors. Sabi ko, ‘O, bawing-bawi ka na, ha.’ Sabi niya, ‘Oo, coach. Di ako nakatulog kagabi, e,’” said HD Spikers head coach Shaq Delos Santos.
“Good thing naman kasi another opportunity for us today na kung ano yung nawala sa amin before — kung ano yung pagkukulang kahapon — kailangan mabawi namin. Which is, ayun, nag-materialize,” he added.
Cignal looked poised for a straight-sets victory after dominating the first two frames, but ZUS Coffee found its rhythm in the third to extend the match. That’s when Santos took over, regaining full control in the fourth to seal the win.
Lalongisip provided solid support with 15 points built on 13 attacks, a block, and an ace, along with 13 excellent receptions. Jackie Acuña added 11 points, including three kill blocks, in nearly two hours of play.
Roselyn Doria-Aquino chipped in nine points, while Tine Tiamzon contributed seven markers and 10 excellent receptions.
Playmaker Gel Cayuna orchestrated the offense with 27 excellent sets and also added six points. Ilongga libero Buding Duremdes anchored the floor defense with 15 excellent digs.
(C) PVL Images
On the other side, ZUS Coffee, now 2-2, still has a slim chance of finishing in the top two but could be relegated to the knockout phase depending on the outcome of Chery Tiggo’s match against Creamline later in the day.
Chinnie Arroyo, who erupted for 23 points in their historic win over the Cool Smashers, followed it up with 20 points, all from attacks. However, she lacked the same level of scoring support she had previously.
Chai Troncoso contributed nine points, while AC Miner and Fiola Ceballos added eight apiece. Ceballos also tallied 14 excellent receptions.
ZUS Coffee will look to improve its standing heading into the knockout phase when it wraps up the pool stage against Chery Tiggo on July 29 in Candon.
