Cignal began its new era without Ces Molina and Riri Meneses with a resounding 25-17, 25-20, 25-19 victory over Galeries Tower in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena on Tuesday.
Despite the abrupt departure of the two starters, the HD Spikers showed no signs of depletion in their performance as they now hold a 5-1 record.
They sit tied for league-best with Petro Gazz, which will play later today against Chery Tiggo.
“Ang good thing kasi sa team, medyo late na ako nakabalik sa training pero habang minomonitor ko sila sa video, ‘yung performance hindi naman nagbabago,” said Cignal head coach Shaq delos Santos on the team’s response to the sudden exit of two of its core players.
“Actually mas nag-eenjoy pa nga sila and nagko-commit talaga sila sa obligations and roles. That’s why nagkaroon kami ng magandang result.”
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After a dominant first set, the HD Spikers continued to cruise with a 16-4 lead in the second although the Highrisers clawed back.
Still, Vanie Gandler and Rose Doria-Aquino displayed composure and poise to hand Cignal a 2-0 set advantage, taking it 25-20.
Doria-Aquino, along with new starters Judith Abil and Ishie Lalongisip, then led the HD Spikers’ 6-2 finisher in the third to secure the sweep in one hour and 40 minutes.
The trio of Doria-Aquino, Lalongisip, and Jackie Acuña all snagged nine points in the win.
New HD Spikers captain Dawn Catindig also shone bright with 19 excellent digs and four receptions while Abil achieved seven points and nine digs in a starter role.
“It’s challenging, of course, but I’m not alone. I have the whole team. We have Ishie who can really step up. We just didn’t dwell on that, I think the only way to improve is to accept the challenges,” said Gandler, who led all scorers with 17 points on 13 spikes, three aces, and a block.
Cignal will return next Tuesday against PLDT, also at Philsports.
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Ysa Jimenez made eight points while Julia Coronel got eight excellent sets to go with eight points as the Highrisers slipped down to 1-6 for 11th place.
Galeries Tower will have an eight-day break before going back on the court on January 30 against Farm Fresh.
