Cignal setter Gel Cayuna. –PVL PHOTO
That two-set deficit to start a game often splits a team’s path. It could either fold up and hurry back to the drawing boards or it could come up with one of those dramatic comebacks that make for feel-good stories.
On Thursday, Cignal chose the latter.
“[When we lost the first two sets], I told them that the game is not yet over,” said HD Spikers coach Shaq delos Santos. “We took the opportunity to bounce back by focusing on every point.”
Cignal turned back Choco Mucho, 24-26, 19-25, 25-16, 25-21, 15-11, to take the early lead in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Invitational Conference at Filoil Flying V Arena.
Ces Molina, once again, showed the way for the HD Spikers with 17 points and 26 excellent receptions, while Glaudine Troncoso was a revelation with 13 points that helped Cignal battle back from that two-set hole, that included a disheartening meltdown in the first frame: The HD Spikers were already at set point, 24-19, before surrendering seven straight points to the Flying Titans.
Cignal’s balanced attack overcame Kat Tolentino’s 31-point explosion in a grueling two-hour and 31-minute match.
“My players showed a lot of composure. Even though they were tired, they fought until the end. I’m proud of them,” said Delos Santos, who had just returned from a vacation in Dubai.
Holding a strong momentum from their huge victories in the third and fourth sets, Cignal had a 4-1 start in the decider before Des Cheng sparked Choco Mucho to steal the lead, 6-5, with a block on Molina.