Cignal snapped a four-game losing streak after dispatching the undermanned ZUS Coffee, 22-25, 25-19, 25-18, 25-19, to keep its slim finals hopes alive in the 2025 Premier Volleyball League Invitational on Monday night at the Philsports Arena.
The HD Spikers, who welcomed Alas Pilipinas mainstay Vanie Gandler back to the fold, finally returned to the win column after dropping four straight matches spanning the PVL On Tour and this Invitational.
They improve their record to 1-3.
Cignal’s win also held weight not just for them but for the league-leading PLDT, who have now secured a spot in the finale following the Thunderbelles’ second consecutive loss of the tournament.
After getting stunned by ZUS Coffee in the opening set, the HD Spikers found their rhythm in the next three. Erika Santos, Ishie Lalongisip, Erin Pangilinan, and Tine Tiamzon provided the firepower to seal the four-set win in nearly two hours of play.
(C) PVL Images
“To be honest, medyo mabigat para sa amin ‘yung mga talo namin. Medyo more on usap din talaga kami, good thing lang naiisip namin kung ano ‘yung mas better or ‘yung solution,” said Cignal head coach Shaq delos Santos.
“I think isa ‘to sa solution na makaka-help sa amin. Hopefully maging inspired ulit kami sa lahat ng gagawin namin. All in all, thankful kami dito sa panalo namin,” he added.
Santos returned to her MVP form with 21 big points to lead the HD Spikers back on track. Lalongisip tallied 13 points along with seven excellent digs.
Rookie Erin Pangilinan tallied a personal-best 10 points off the bench, while Tin Tiamzon added 10 markers as well in their breakthrough win in the PVL Invitational. Gandler had six points in her first game back.
Gel Cayuna tossed 17 excellent sets to go along with two points, while veteran libero Dawn Catindig came up with 18 excellent digs and 15 excellent receptions.
Cignal looks to finish the elimination round strong when they take on Kobe Shinwa University on Thursday, 4:00 PM at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
(C) PVL Images
On the other hand, the Thunderbelles dropped their second consecutive loss to slip to 0-2 in the six-team invitational tourney.
Chai Troncoso paced ZUS Coffee with 16 points to go along with 11 excellent digs, while Kate Santiago had 14 markers, all from attacks, in the loss.
ZUS Coffee targets its first win against Chery Tiggo on Tuesday, 6:30 PM at the same Pasig venue.
