The Cignal HD Spikers celebrate a point against the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers in the 2022 PVL Open Conference. Photo from PVL
MANILA, Philippines — Treating each game as a championship has been working for the Cignal HD Spikers so far as they emerged as Pool A leaders in the 2022 Premier Volleyball League Open Conference.
Despite Ces Molina’s right ankle sprain in the fourth set, Cignal took the early 2-0 lead in its group after handing the erstwhile-unbeaten F2 Logistics Cargo Movers their first defeat, 25-14, 25-21,19-25, 25-18, on Sunday at Paco Arena.
Ria Meneses, who scored 12 points to help her new team remain unbeaten, said the HD Spikers made sure to show no signs of intimidation in facing champion teams in their first two games, including a four-set conquest over reigning PVL titlist Chery Tiggo last Wednesday.
“Every game our mindset is to take it as a championship game. We give our all point by point,” said the reigning Best Middle Blocker.
“Everyone wants to win but it all boils down to the one who works the hardest.”
Ria Meneses during Cignal’s game against F2 Logistics in the 2022 PVL Open Conference. Photo from PVL
The former University of Santo Tomas stalwart, who signed with Cignal in January, was relieved to overcome a tall F2 Logistics side that came off a perfect title run in the Philippine National Volleyball Federation Champions League last November.
“It’s heartwarming to beat F2. They are really tall and it’s hard to score on their net defense,” said Meneses. “But as our coach said, every team has an equal footing when it comes to this tournament.”
After overcoming their first two games, Meneses vowed her team will keep the same mindset as the HD Spikers, who finished 10th with a 1-9 record last PVL bubble, need to win at least one of their last two matches against Choco Mucho on Tuesday and Black Mamba-Army (0-2) on Thursday for them to secure one of the two twice-to-beat advantages in their group.
“Same with our game against Choco Mucho, it’s a championship match for us. We can’t afford to lose a game because one loss could affect our standings in this short elimination round,” she said.