Super Liga: Bernal, Cignal deal Cagayan its first loss

MANILA, Philippines — Venus Bernal shone on both ends of the floor as Cignal dealt Cagayan Valley its first loss, 25-18, 25-21, 25-22, Sunday in the Philippine Super Liga women’s volleyball at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

Bernal, a former University of Santo Tomas star, poured in a game-high 21 points with three blocks.

“Maybe off sila ngayon. Ang ginawa namin ngayon fast play because they have good floor defense,” said Cignal coach Sinfronio Acaylar.

“Ang sabi ko lang sa kanila, every game is a battle. It doesn’t matter if Cagayan is still unbeaten, dapat every game walang distraction and hindi dapat ma-intimidate,” added Sinfronio.

Apart from Bernal’s efforts, the HD Spikers also got a lift from Honey Royse Tubino and South Western U stalwart Danika Gendrauli.

Gendrauli provided the crucial points including an ace to extend her team’s lead to two, 23-21, in the third set.

Bernal moved Cignal at match point before an unforced error by Cagayan, which fell to 3-1, sealed the HD Spikers’ second win in four stints.

“Ginawa ko talaga lahat para makabawi ako,” the lanky five-foot-eight Bernal said, after a sub-par outing in their previous game.

Tubino had 13 points while Gendrauli tallied 11.

The Lady Rising Suns, which got futile scoring from their usual hitters with Joy Cases and Sandra delos Santos held to just eight each, lost the opening set despite holding a 6-0 lead.