For the first time in almost three years, Filipino fans finally witnessed the Premier Volleyball League live at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
And Cignal made sure to give the fans their well-deserved welcome, putting on a show in its three-set, 25-14, 25-9, 25-14 victory over the BaliPure Water Defenders in the quarterfinals on Monday afternoon.
Ces Molina — who top-scored the match with 12 points — expressed her delight upon seeing the fans for the first time since 2019.
“It’s good to be back na may audience talaga dahil yun nga gaya ng sabi ni coach nakakaboost ng morale talaga kapag may sumisigaw para sa team mo at para sa’yo,” expressed Molina moments after the match.
“And yun very excited kami pumunta dito and alam namin na prepared kami para magpakita sa audience natin for the first time again.”
HD Spikers head coach Shaq Delos Santos revealed that the team was very excited heading into the match. He also expressed the fans’ importance in the volleyball community.
“Ako sobrang happy. Actually, papunta pa lang kami dito then nung ‘pag pasok namin diyan sa San Juan parang nakakaano ulit, actually nakakakilabot nga nung nakita namin,” said Delos Santos.
“Ang sarap sa feeling then ngayon naririnig na ulit namin yung sigaw which is ang laki kasing factor ng fans kasi alam naman natin kung gaano ka-mahal yung volleyball parang kung gaano natin ka-mahal yung sport natin, ganoon din nila ka-love yun. Kami sobrang natutuwa kasi parang ito na, nafefeel na natin yung bumabalik na kahit papaano so I guess good start ulit,” the decorated mentor continued.
“Hopefully talaga magtuloy-tuloy na.”
The HD Spikers were on a tear against the Water Defenders, even putting up a 17-3 rally to end the second set before eventually taking the win via a 25-14 win.
Cignal, after posting an immaculate 4-0 standing in the group stage, extended its winning streak to five games and has already advanced to the semifinals of the 2022 PVL Open Conference.
The HD Spikers will take on the winner of the Petro Gazz-F2 Logistics match up in the semifinals on Friday at 3:00 PM.
