Cignal still strong, rips Sta. Lucia for fourth win in five games

Cignal continued to put pressure on the top teams by hammering a spiraling Sta. Lucia squad, 25-8, 25-16, 25-22, in the Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference yesterday at the Filoil Flying V Centre.

Opposite Mylene Paat and setter Alohi Robins-Hardy led the way for the HD Spikers, who captured their fourth win in five games and continued to track down the top teams of the tournament.

Cignal has inserted itself in the championship conversation, which has long been hogged by rivals Petron and F2 Logistics.

Not anymore.

Paat had nine attacks to finish with 12 points for the HD Spikers while Robins-Hardy, whose arrival has been hailed as the biggest difference for the team, chipped in 10 points, highlighted by four aces and eight excellent sets.

“Our players did a good job; we are very pleased that everybody stepped up, especially our second stringers,” said Cignal assistant coach Rico de Guzman, who called the shots for head coach Edgar Barroga.

“I told them [second stringers] not to doubt themselves because I believe in them and they did not disappoint.”

Janine Marciano and May Luna combined for 17 points for the HD Spikers in the match that took an hour and 24 minutes to finish.

After two lopsided sets, Sta. Lucia tried to give Cignal a scare in the third as Amanda Villanueva kept the Lady Realtors afloat, 16-16, before Robins-Hardy took over for the HD Spikers and hand her team a 21-18 breather.

Cignal was up, 24-19, and watched Sta. Lucia fight off three match points to come within two before Paat unleashed the winner for the HD Spikers.

Roselle Baliton, Joy Dacoron and MJ Phillips each had six points for Sta. Lucia, which slid to 1-9.