STA. ROSA — Cignal snapped Creamline’s 10-game winning streak, 25-21, 26-24, 14-25, 25-22 to gain solo lead in the 2022 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference, Thursday at the Sta. Rosa Sports Complex here.
Spearheading the undefeated HD Spikers is Ces Molina with 15 points on 11 attacks and four huge kill blocks to go along with 12 excellent digs in the win that put an end to the Cool Smashers’ dominance which can be traced back to the Open Conference.
“Una, siyempre, very thankful kay Lord. Naging safe naman lahat, both teams naman, naging okay naman na natapos. And of course, siyempre, sa panalo namin. Grabe. Siyempre, hindi mo siya pwedeng i-expect, especially ‘yung defending champion ‘yung kalaban mo,” said Cignal head coach Shaq delos Santos.
“So, ako, sobrang happy and proud sa mga players namin. Especially Angel na kanina lang namin siya nakasama. So parang, sa amin, sobrang saya. Sobrang saya. Siyempre, alam namin kasi ‘yung kayang gawin ng Creamline, and sobrang nire-respect namin sila, so ayun,” he added.
The Cool Smashers and the HD Spikers figured in a tough affair in the third frame which saw them tied at 22-all.
Gel Cayuna took over from there, converting one off a drop before delivering a booming ace that put Cignal at match point. Cayuna then made a strong serve afterward which allowed Rachel Daquis to put the exclamation point.
The former Far Eastern University standout, who came off the bench, finished with 17 excellent sets and six points in his first game back after missing the team’s previous match.
Glaudine Troncoso provided the spark for the HD Spikers with 11 points while Daquis had 10 points and 15 excellent receptions.
With the Cool Smashers looking to steal the opener, Ria Meneses took over and blocked Tots Carlos and Alyssa Valdez, respectively, to give the HD Spikers a 1-0 advantage.
Cignal came back from an 11-18 deficit in the second and later on saved three match points, 21-24, to steal the set from Creamline’s hands. The third set was a lopsided affair as the Cool Smashers built a 10-point advantage late, 24-14, before Jia De Guzman sealed it with an ace.
Carlos’ 21-point output went down the drain as Creamline suffered its first loss since the Game Three of the 2021 Open Conference to go down to 2-1 in the standings.
Jema Galanza, a native of San Pedro, Laguna, delivered 13 points with seven excellent receptions while Ced Domingo had 11 points in three games played.
Kyla Atienza had 26 excellent digs and 15 excellent receptions while De Guzman dished out 23 excellent sets. Valdez was limited to nine points and 12 digs.
Cignal takes on Petro Gazz next on Tuesday at 5:30 PM while Creamline looks to bounce back against Choco Mucho on Saturday also at 5:30 PM. Both games will be played at the FilOil Flying V Arena.
