Rachel Daquis.of Cignal in action. PVL photo
Cignal in big win
CIGNAL opened its semifinals campaign with a 25-22, 25-15, 25-21 win over PLDT in the Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference at the Philsports Arena yesterday.
Ces Molina came through with 17 points while setter Gel Cayuna tossed in 15 excellent sets and fired a match-best three service aces as the HD Spikers took only one hour and 39 minutes to repulse the High Speed Hitters.
Carrying over its preliminary round loss to F2 Logistics, Cignal now has a 1-1 record in the semis, which also features Japan’s Kurashiki Ablaze and Vietnam’s Kinh Bac Bac Ninh.
“I know marami kaming lapses pero good thing, nakuha namin ng three sets kahit paano,” said HD Spikers coach Shaq delos Santos.
Counting its prelims defeat to defending champion Creamline, PLDT went down to 0-2 in the standings.
Cayuna knows that Cignal needs to elevate its level of play at this stage of the tournament. Up next for the HD Spikers is a showdown with the Cool Smashers tomorrow.
“Thankful kasi nakuha namin yung unang panalo sa semis. Pagtatrabahuan pa namin kasi kanina sa game, medyo mabagal talaga yung galaw namin. Effort pa rin talaga para maibalik namin yung bilis kung paano kami noong eliminations,” said Cayuna.
Jovelyn Gonzaga had another superb all-around game with 12 points, 10 receptions and six digs while Rose Doria was the Cignal player in double digits with 10 points, including three blocks and two service aces.
Fiola Ceballos had eight kills and eight digs to lead the High Speed Hitters, the last team to reach the semifinals.
PetroGazz went through the wringer for the third straight time, but unlike in its five-set defeat to Choco Mucho that ruined its semifinals drive, the Angels pulled through against the Akari Chargers, 25-19, 25-18, 20-25, 20-25, 15-7, to wind up ninth.
Playeing without top hitter Remy Palma, Marian Buitre stepped up for PetroGazz with 10 points, matching Aiza Pontillas’ output while Grethcel Soltones and Jonah Sabete led the team’s assault again with 19 and 15 points, respectively. Djanel Cheng anchored the team’s offense with 14 excellent sets while scoring seven points.
“We’re happy na rin at natapos ng maayos. Moving forward, we have to train and prepare for the next tournament,” said Cheng.
Foton recovered from a second set blowout with a tough win in the third then warded off Gerflor’s late fightback to pound out a 26-24, 13-25, 25-21, 26-24 victory and finish 11th.
Shaya Adorador, solid all-conference long, had three service aces and two blocks to finish with 22 points and collected 13 receptions as the Tornadoes comeback tournament ended on a high note.
“I offered my games to my coaches. Without them, I wouldn’t be here. Kung anong meron ako sa skills ay dahil yun sa kanina,” said Adorador. “Babaunin ko na lang yung mga magagandang laro ko sa mga susunod na laro, sa mga training at sana magkaroon pa ng tiwala sa sarili.”
The Chargers and the Defenders placed 10th and 12th, respectively.
