Cignal kick-started its redemption season with a victory against defending Premier Volleyball League champion Chery Tiggo, 25-22, 22-25, 25-22, 25-18, Wednesday night at the Paco Arena and Sports Center.
Entering the second technical timeout of the fourth set, Angeli Araneta and Ria Meneses joined hands in a 4-0 run that gave the HD Spikers a 19-14 advantage.
A drop from Meneses that went out halted Cignal’s streak, but a down-the-line attack from Araneta pushed the lead to four anew, 20-16.
Mylene Paat converted in the following possession but Araneta and Rachel Daquis answered with consecutive drips to extend the lead to five.
Roselyn Doria blocked Paat while an attack error from Dindin Santiago-Manabat put the HD Spikers at match-point.
Jasmine Nabor kept the Crossovers alive with a kill, but a net touch on Joy Dacoron ended the match.
“Ni-remind ko lang sila kung paano namin pinaghandaan ‘tong game na ‘to so medyo siguro nag collapse yung first ball namin, yung receive namin doon kami medyo bumaba yung percentage,” said Cignal head coach Shaq Delos Santos.
The HD Spikers flaunted its offensive arsenal in the match with four players reaching double digits in scoring.
Ces Molina led the way with 16 points off 13 attacks, two aces, and a block along with seven excellent receptions. Daquis added 14 points and 12 digs while Araneta and Meneses provided 12 and 11 points, respectively.
Gel Cayuna dished out 18 excellent sets in her Cignal debut while Jheck Dionela tallied 14 digs and nine receptions.
Graze Bombita, who was set to make her debut for the HD Spikers, had to be stretchered off the floor after suffering an injury during the warm-ups.
“Pero good thing and sobrang happy ako sa group na ‘to kasi alam nila kung kailan sila dapat mag adjust and alam namin na sobrang dami pa ring kulang kasi nagsisimula pa lang yung laban so kailangan mas mag prepare pa kami nang maayos,” he added.
For the Crossovers, Santiago-Manabat finished with 14 points while Paat had 10 points — all coming from attacks and EJ Laure had nine points and 10 receptions in her professional debut.
Buding Duremdes collected 16 digs and 10 receptions while Jasmine Nabor delivered 26 excellent sets and four points.
Cignal will take on F2 Logistics on Sunday at 6:00 PM. Meanwhile, Chery Tiggo will also take on the same team on Friday also at 6:00 PM.
