Cignal secured the top spot in the bronze medal match by sweeping Kinh Bac-Bac Ninh 25-13, 25-15, 25-20 in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference semifinals on Thursday evening at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
The HD Spikers, with an opportunity to claim their third bronze medal, ended their two-game losing streak and improved to a 2-3 record, while also handing the Vietnam squad their fourth consecutive loss.
Ces Molina led Cignal’s dominant performance against Kinh Bac with 19 points, achieved through 16 attacks, two aces, and a block. Gel Cayuna orchestrated the offense with 24 excellent sets and also contributed five points.
“Sobrang happy after nung dalawang game namin na nakakalungkot, pero well yun talaga yung journey namin ngayong conference… Kailangan lang din namin magrecover kasi syempre pagod na rin talaga yung mga players namin,” said HD Spikers head coach Shaq Delos Santos
As Bac Ninh narrowed the gap to three points with a net touch from Cayuna and a through-the-block hit from Huong Nguyen, the HD Spikers responded with a 6-0 run, establishing an eight-point lead and halting the Vietnamese team’s momentum at 18-9.
Kinh Bac fought back with a 4-1 run, with My Phan’s off-the-block attack and Jovy Gonzaga’s outside attack closing the gap to four points at 16-20. However, Vanie Gandler and Jacqueline Acuna delivered crucial plays to secure the victory.
Huong Nguyen once again led Kinh Bac in the losing effort with 12 points, all from attacks, while Le Xuan contributed 10 points and 11 excellent receptions.
Now, the HD Spikers will await the results of the F2 Logistics-Bac Ninh clash tomorrow to determine their opponent in the winner-take-all bronze medal match. On the other hand, the Vietnamese squad aims to salvage a win in their final Invitational match against the Cargo Movers. (Ernest Martin Tuazon)
