Cignal booted Farm Fresh out of the semifinals race, winning 25-18, 25-19, 25-18 in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference on Thursday night at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
Ces Molina topped the scoring column with 16 points on 16 attacks, while Jovelyn Gonzaga chipped in 12 markers to help the HD Spikers improve their slate to 3-1, tying F2 Logistics and Petro Gazz for the top spot in Pool B.
After claiming the first two sets, Cignal quickly gained an advantage in the third set and established a 12-point lead at 21-9 after a back-row attack from Vanie Gandler.
Gandler eventually brought the HD Spikers to match point, 24-13, with a down-the-line hit, but the Foxies managed to save five match points before Gandler secured her team’s second consecutive victory with an off-the-block attack.
“Thankful ulit syempre sa panalo and syempre kay Lord sa pag-guide niya sa amin the whole game,” said Cignal head coach Shaq delos Santos. “Hopefully, mas gumanda pa yung performance namin. Marami kaming na-commit na errors pero good thing napanalo namin yung game.”
Gandler, who scored most of her points in the third set, finished with eight points and four excellent digs, while Riri Meneses also contributed eight markers for the HD Spikers.
On the other hand, Kate Santiago led Farm Fresh with a team-high 12 points and 13 excellent receptions.
After losing their fourth game in a row, the Foxies officially bowed out of semifinals contention.
Cignal will aim to secure its semifinals berth against Choco Mucho on Tuesday at 4:00 p.m., while Farm Fresh will try to enter the classification phase on a winning note against Foton on Saturday at 9:30 p.m. at the same venue.
