CIGNAL, banking on its superior hitting and blocking, blasted Nxled, 25-17, 25-14, 25-14, to move closer in securing a place in the Premier Volleyball League Second All-Filipino Conference semifinals at the Philsports Arena yesterday.

Vanie Gandler pumped in nine of her 12 points in the opening frame, setting the tone for the veteran-laden HD Spikers’ dominance over the young Chameleons.

Following last Tuesday crushing 25-17 19-25 25-21 22-25 14-16 defeat to Chery Tiggo, Cignal improved to 7-3 with Gerflor as its last preliminaries opponent.

PetroGazz later kept its slim semifinals hopes alive with a 25-18, 17-25, 25-22, 30-28 conquest of Akari for a 6-4 card. The Chargers bowed out of contention with a fifth loss in 10 matches.

The HD Spikers were able to apply the lessons they got from the setback to the Crossovers.

“Mahirap kasi yung talo namin last game. So ang reminder ng coaching staff (after the loss) is mag-move forward kami kasi may last two games pa kami,” said Jovelyn Gonzaga, who backed Gandler’s strong offensive game with 12 points, including three blocks, and 10 digs.

“Kailangan namin ipanalo para may baon kaming confidence and yung pride namin pagdating sa semis. Ang training talaga namin puspusan talaga,” she added.

Creamline and sister team Choco Mucho have booked the first two Final Four slots, with third-running Chery Tiggo looking to nail the other Final Four spot against already-eliminated F2 Logistics at presstime.

“We thank the Lord for this win, and the management, too,” said Cignal coach Shaq delos Santos. “Of course, sa team namin kasi alam ko kung gaano nila pinaghirapan yung naging training namin. Good thing nabawi namin, isa na lang and kailangan namin para sure na kami sa semis.”

Rose Doria also scored 12 points, including two service aces, while Ces Molina had two aces for a 11-point showing and collected 10 digs for the HD Spikers.

Gonzaga also commended Gel Cayuna’s superb game, as the Cignal setter lobbed 14 excellent sets and contributrd two of her team’s nine blocks.

“Ike-credit ko din si Gel (Cayuna) kasi ang ganda ng ball distribution niya. Ang ganda ng mga sets niya sa akin,” Gonzaga said.

Lycha Ebon, May Luna and Camille Victoria each scored six points for the Chameleons, who dropped to 3-7.