Cignal completed its turnaround from last season’s dismal outing with an elimination round sweep of the 2022 Premier Volleyball League Open Conference’s Pool A capped by a four-set triumph over Army-Black Mamba Army, 25-20, 20-25, 25-17, 25-19, Thursday at Paco Arena Events and Sports Center.
It has been a successful campaign so far for the HD Spikers. They have topped the so-called group of death that has Choco Mucho, F2 Logistics, and Chery Tiggo. Moreover, they only dropped four sets during that span.
“Sobrang happy kasi panalo. But of course, yung ine-expect namin na dapat maging performance nung team, hindi yun yung… Kumbaga totoong laro namin.
But good thing naka-survive kami at na-overcome ng team namin yung laro. And thank you kay Lord sa pag-guide sa amin,” said HD Spikers head coach Shaq Delos Santos.
One of those sets dropped though came in this game, losing the second set after letting Lou Malausan and Honey Royse Tubino loose. Moreover, Cignal’s errors doomed them as well.
“I guess hindi naman complacency,” Delos Santos remarked about their second set loss. “Siguro ano lang, ‘yung pagod din ng players namin, kasi kumbaga, sunod-sunod din kami.
“Pangatlong sunod na namin na laro na every other day, and of course ‘yung in-between noon, may practices pa kami. So, kumbaga ‘yung pagod din. I guess best thing na gawin muna namin is mag-recover din talaga,” the former national team head coach continued.
The HD Spikers recovered in the third set to take the advantage.
In the final set, the Lady Troopers were able to keep close with the HD Spikers early before Rachel Daquis bombarded her former team. An error by Mich Morente sealed the deal.
Ria Meneses got 15 points built on 12 attacks, two blocks, and an ace. Meanwhile, Daquis tallied 13 points, 18 digs, and 12 receptions for a triple-double.
Ces Molina and Roselyn Doria got 12 and 10 points each as well. Gel Cayuna tossed 41 excellent sets.
Cignal will next face Pool B last placer BaliPure in the quarterfinals on Sunday at 3:00 PM still at Paco Arena. The HD Spikers will hold a twice-to-beat advantage.
Army ends its campaign winless, taking just two sets in their four games.
Tubino had 21 points and 14 receptions to lead Army.
