Ria Meneses in action. PVL photo
Cignal overcomes Army in PVL
CIGNAL overcame a close first set before sweeping United Auctioneers Inc.-Army, 25-23, 25-19, 25-19, to arrest a two-match slide in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference yesterday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
American Tai Bierria and Rachel Anne Daquis produced consecutive kills to shatter a 23-23 standoff to give the HD Spikers the opening set.
Cignal then turned to Ces Molina, who entered the match as a second set substitute and delivered with 10 points, to complete the straight-set romp.
The HD Spikers-Lady Troopers match featured the debut of the much-awaited challenge system.
Army coach Kungfu Reyes called the first-ever challenge in the PVL – a block touch on import Laura Condotta’s attack in the first set. It turned out be unsuccessful and Cignal gets the point to tie at 4-4.
The victory – the second in four matches – boosted the HD Spikers’ chances of advancing to the semifinals for the third straight conference. Cignal is now level with idle F2 Logistics, which also holds a 2-2 slate.
“Hopefully yun nga sabi namin mag-work hard pa kami every training, yung practices namin, yung inaaral namin and yung commitment talaga namin bibigay talaga namin kasi siyempre ibang iba na yung labanan ngayon, hindi ka talagang pwede mag-relax, magpetiks sa mga makakalaban mo so ayun, very thankful and happy,” said HD Spikers coach Shaq Delos Santos
“Nakakaproud kasi yung mga players namin nagcommit talaga kanina na magperform nang maayos,” he added.
Bierria finished with 17 points and 12 digs, Daquis had three blocks to also finish with 10 points to go along with six receptions while setter Gel Cayuna tossed in 20 excellent sets for Cignal.
UAI-Army bowed out of semis contention with its fifth straight defeat.
Canadian Laura Condotta had two service aces to finish with 13 points, while Jovelyn Gonzaga added 10 points, including two service aces, and seven digs for the Lady Troopers.
