SANTA ROSA – Despite getting eliminated just minutes prior to its match, also-ran Cignal still put on a show and smeared PLDT’s semifinals hopes, 24-26, 26-24, 25-17, 28-26, in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference, Saturday at the Santa Rosa Sports Complex here.
The HD Spikers were still in the semis race entering the day but were immediately eliminated after Chery Tiggo’s victory over Akari brought them to 8-2 in the standings, tying defending champion Creamline, Choco Mucho, and Petro Gazz with identical records.
Cignal, despite raising its win-loss card to 6-4, can only achieve as high as the fifth spot in the elimination round but was able to shake the entire standings as its win over the High Speed Hitters allowed the Cool Smashers, Flying Titans, and the Angels to enter the semifinals.
“Syempre una sobrang happy kasi ‘yung feeling ulit na manalo or bigay ulit sa amin ‘yung panalo na ‘to. We know na walang bearing para sa amin but iniisip ng iba na wala siyang bearing pero sa amin, yung kumpiyansa kasi gusto namin mabalik ulit,” said HD Spikers head coach Shaq delos Santos.
“(Gusto namin) maibalik ulit namin sa sarili namin na kung paano talaga kami maglaro so sobrang happy and then ‘yun nga, ‘yung sa performance ng team, sobrang na-miss ko ‘yung larong ‘yon, as in as in,” he added.
PLDT, in hopes of solidifying its semis bid, tried to force a fifth set after Erika Santos converted a down-the-line attack which put the High Speed Hitters ahead in the extended fourth frame, 26-25.
Chai Troncoso’s attack then sailed out to the delight of PLDT. However, a ball touch challenge by the Cignal coaching staff, which was deemed successful, gave Jovelyn Gonzaga and Ces Molina the opportunity to secure the game after a block and an attack, respectively.
“Sobrang thankful ako sa kanila kasi trinabaho pa rin nila kahit alam ng buong team na medyo ‘yung standing namin, I think pang-six? But ‘yung kelangan makapag-start na ulit kami nang maganda para papuntang next conference,” added delos Santos.
Gonzaga led the way for Cignal with 16 points on 11 attacks, three blocks, and two aces while Molina and Vanie Gandler, who have been struggling in the team’s past games, finished with 15 and 12 points, respectively.
Gel Cayuna tossed 19 excellent sets to go along with six big points while Dawn Macandili-Catindig registered 19 excellent digs and 16 excellent receptions.
The HD Spikers will try to end its campaign on a high, facing also-ran Capital1 on Saturday, 4:00 p.m. also at the Philsports Arena.
Meanwhile, the High Speed Hitters fell to 7-3, which put them in danger of missing the semifinals.
For PLDT to make it to the semis, the Crossovers must lose their match against Galeries Tower on Thursday. The High Speed Hitters must also sweep the Cool Smashers to officially clinch a spot in the Final Four.
Savannah Davison poured her heart out against Cignal, pouring 29 points, all on attacks, to go along with 18 excellent receptions and eight excellent digs.
Dell Palomata added 15 points on 12 attacks and three blocks while Majoy Baron contributed five kill blocks to finish with 11 points.
Kim Fajardo tallied 19 excellent sets while Kath Arado had another stellar defensive showing with 22 excellent digs and 16 excellent receptions.
