Cignal completed its come-from-behind win against Choco Mucho, 24-26, 19-25, 25-16, 25-21, 15-11 in the rematch of the Open Conference bronze medal match in the 2022 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference, Thursday at the FilOil Flying V Arena.
Already ahead by one in the final frame, Rose Doria and Rachel Daquis sparked a 3-0 run to give the HD Spikers a 14-10 advantage. Des Cheng scored one in to keep the Flying Titans alive but an attack error from her in the ensuing play sealed the win for Cignal.
“Una, siguro yun yung opportunity namin na mag-bounce back doon sa game kasi sabi ko nga hindi pa naman tapos,” said HD Spikers head coach Shaq Delos Santos. “Then nung third set, sabi ko yun muna, focus muna kami sa third set so every point na gagawin namin, i-focus muna namin yung mga sarili namin.”
Ces Molina spearheaded the comeback with 17 points and 26 excellent receptions in the game that saw Cignal fight back from a 0-2 deficit to pick up its second consecutive victory.
Glaudine Troncoso provided a huge spark in her first start for the HD Spikers, registering 13 points with 12 coming from the attack line while Ria Meneses and Doria added 12 and 11 markers, respectively.
Gel Cayuna glued things together with 32 excellent sets to go along with seven points while team captain Rachel Daquis collected 10 points and 18 excellent digs.
Choco Mucho escaped defeat in the opener, overcoming a 19-24 disadvantage with Isa Molde scoring three points in a 7-0 run to steal set one from Cignal.
The Flying Titans picked up the second set to move a win away from securing the sweep but the HD Spikers, banking on Molina, Doria, and Meneses, sealed the next three to pull the upset rug.
On the other hand, Kat Tolentino’s 31-point outburst, which came from 25 attacks, four blocks, and two aces, went down the drain as the Flying Titans dropped to a 1-1 slate in the tournament.
Isa Molde and Des Cheng added 14 points each with the latter also getting 10 excellent receptions in the contest. Deanna Wong dished out 29 excellent sets while Denden Lazaro-Revilla recorded 26 excellent digs and 20 excellent receptions.
