Mylene Paat and the Cignal HD Spikers continued to pick up steam, overwhelming the PLDT Home Fibr Powers in straight sets, 25-22, 25-19, 25-20, to secure a semifinals berth in the 2019 PSL Invitationals, Thursday at the Malolos Sports and Convention Center.
Paat wound up as the leading scorer in the match, spearheading Cignal’s high-octane offense with 18 points built on 14 attacks and three kill blocks. She almost had a double-double outing with eight excellent digs to help keep the HD Spikers’ 5-0 record pristine in Pool C.
The product of Adamson also pummeled the momentum-swinging hit midway through the decisive third frame that incited a game-breaking stampede. Down by just a solitary point at 14-15, she hammered down a kill which sparked a searing 9-2 rally, allowing Cignal to wrest a 23-17 advantage.
Sasa Devanadera and Grethcel Soltones tried to pump life into PLDT’s comeback bid, collaborating for three unanswered points, 20-23. But Alohi Robins-Hardy bamboozled the Power Hitters with a quick-witted dump to restore order and buoy Cignal at match point before Janine Marciano detonated the match-clinching ace.
Cignal skipper Rachel Daquis and Janine Navarro were also instrumental in the straight-set conquest of PLDT, accounting for 13 markers each. The former dropped three service bombs and collected six excellent receptions, while the latter simmered with 11 attacks.
Cignal playmaker Robins-Hardy generated the offense with 19 excellent sets on top of five points, as defensive specialist Jheck Dionela tallied 13 excellent digs and six excellent receptions.
Still, Paat stresses that she and the rest of the HD Spikers shouldn’t let their guards down despite having solidified their place in the next round of the tournament.
“Dapat ‘di kami mag-relax knowing na naka[lima] na panalo na kami, so ayun ‘yung dapat namin matutunan — wag kaming magre-relax and be consistent everytime,” Paat bared.
PLDT, meanwhile, was led on the offensive end by Jerrili Malabanan. Despite not getting fielded in the third set, the product of FEU had 15 points.
Shola Alvarez flirted with a triple-double of 12 markers, 10 excellent digs and nine excellent receptions for the Power Hitters, who stumbled to 1-3 in Pool C.
PLDT ace spiker Soltones only managed seven points in a losing cause, while Jasmin Nabor tossed 11 excellent sets.
The HD Spikers will look to close out their elimination round campaign on a high note when they face the Petron Blaze Spikers on Saturday at the Caloocan Sports Complex. On the same day, the Power Hitters will try to regain their footing against Marinerang Pilipina.
