Cignal HD Spikers take game one of semis series vs Petro Gazz Angels in the PVL Open Conference. PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–Cignal HD displayed its calmness and composure in each of the tight three sets to frustrate PetroGazz, 25-21, 25-23, 25-23, Friday and move just a win away from making the finals of the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference at FilOil Flying V Arena.
Defying the fact that the franchise got a massive overhaul in the off-season, the HD Spikers played like one unstoppable unit under Gel Cayuna’s orchestration to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three semis. They go for the championship spot in Sunday’s Game 2.
Cayuna acted like the leader among her all-star teammates that include Rachel Anne Daquis, Ria Meneses, Roselyn Doria, Jheck Dionela and Ces Molina. They ran away with their five straight victories in as many games.
Cignal fans celebrate the HD Spikers’ victory. pic.twitter.com/b0Rc1y1bb4
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) April 1, 2022
The Angels would always make a run for it late in each frame, taking the lead, 22-21, in the third on a Jonah Sabete ace. But The HD Spikers would always have an answer to yank off the win.
In the first period, Petrogazz was leading, 21-19, only to suffer a meltdown on reception, allowing Cayuna to dropp successive aces to help finish the set.
The same thing happened in the next set when the Angels stormed down the stretch with a 23-21 lead, but saw Doria destroying them with kill-blocks and consecutive forays.
Aiza Maizo-Pontillas and Grethcel Soltones tried to keep PetroGazz abreast but the rest of the Angels could not catch-up especially with star-player Myla Pablo spending most of her time on the bench.