The stage is set for the 2024 PNVF Champions League final.
Cignal clawed back from two sets down to eclipse College of St. Benilde, 23-25, 22-25, 25-22, 25-22, 15-10, while Petro Gazz romped Chery Tiggo, 25-21, 25-19, 25-14, to forge a final clash on Friday at Friday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
The final will take place on Saturday.
Like their hard-earned 18-25, 25-21, 25-17, 17-25, 15-13 win in the elimination round, the HD Spikers saw themselves in a similar dogfight after surrendering the first two frames in the slimmest of margins, 23-25, 22-25.
“I think it’s our maturity. Experience-wise, lamang kami,” said coach Shaq Delos Santos about the Blazers.
“’Yung momentum rin siguro after namin makuha ‘yung third set. Malaking bagay ‘yun. Again, ‘yung tiwala lang siguro sa team na hindi ko pwedeng tanggalin. Never mawawala ‘yung tiwala ko sa kanila.”
A searing 7-0 start in the final set anchored by Glaudine Troncoso’s timely eruption spelled the difference for the HD Spikers, who had to turn every corner from a 0-2 deficit to survive the Lady Blazers on their way to the one-game championship on Saturday.
Troncoso fired six of his 15 points in the clincher, highlighted by a personal 4-0 blast as Cignal extended their perfect run to five games after wiping out the elimination round for the top seeding in the Final Four.
Ces Molina, Ria Meneses, and Chin Basas added 13, 12, and 10 points, respectively while Vanie Gandler had nine points featuring a couple of crucial hits down the stretch to repel St. Benilde’s comeback attempt.
Gayle Pascual hammered 18 points while Zamantha Nolasco and Corrine Apostol had 11 and 10 points, respectively, for the PNVF Challenge Cup champions, who will try to salvage the bronze medal against Chery Tiggo.
Later in the night, Jonah Sabete’s outstanding performance, with 19 points built on 13 attacks, four blocks, and two aces, propelled Petro Gazz to victory.
Brooke Van Sickle continued to shine in her debut tournament in Manila, scoring 12 points and leading the team to eliminate Chery Tiggo in a swift one hour and 27 minutes.
Eya Laure stood out as the lone bright spot for the Crossovers, contributing 15 points in the game.
