PVL: Cignal pushes Chery Tiggo close to elimination to stay unscathed

Cignal HD Spikers. –PVL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Cignal sent Chery Tiggo to the brink of elimination, 25-23, 25-16, 25-18, to stay unbeaten in three games in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Invitational Conference on Saturday at San Juan Arena. 

The HD Spikers played without Open Conference Best Setter Gel Cayuna, who skipped the game to rest according to head coach Shaq Delos Santos.

But Ayel Estranero successfully filled the void, helping her team to move on the cusp of securing a spot in the next round, where teams from Japan and Taipei will join the race.

Ces Molina led Cignal’s balanced attack for the third straight game, pouring 16 points off 13 attacks, two aces, and a block as her team seized a solo 3-0 lead.

Angeli Araneta delivered eight attacks and two aces to finish with 10 points. Rachel Anne Daquis had seven points and nine digs, while Estranero paced the team’s offense with 12 excellent sets.

“I was very thankful and proud of my team. We encountered struggles but good thing, we were able to recover. They’re doing good so far and hopefully, we will play even better, especially in the latter part of the tournament,” said HD Spikers coach Shaq Delos Santos in Filipino.

Delos Santos fielded a different set of starters with Jerrili Malabanan, Glaudine Troncoso, and Jacqueline Acuna for Daquis, Molina, and Ria Meneses. But it hardly worked for Cignal as it trailed 16-21 in the first set.

The HD Spikers made a run after their regular starters were fielded in and stole a 23-22 advantage from back-to-back points from middle blockers Roselyn Doria and Meneses before Shaya Adorador tied the set. An attack error from Mylene Paat and Estranero’s ace completed Cignal’s comeback first set win.

“I wanted to give my other players confidence and opportunity to play. They performed but there are still things they have to improve on,” Delos Santos said. “Good thing the entry of my regular starters was at the right timing and they showed a good service in the latter part of the first set.”

Chery Tiggo suffered its third straight loss, falling on the brink of elimination as only the top four teams will reach the next round.

Paat carried the Crossovers with 10 points and 12 digs. Shaya Adorador had nine markers, including her last-ditch effort in the third set that saved four match points, while EJ Laure returned to action with seven markers in the last two sets.

Laure, Alina Bicar, and Justine Dorog also returned to action after missing their first two games due to health and safety protocols. But the 2021 Open Conference champion remained winless as it continued to miss the presence of Dindin Santiago-Manabat, who is still recovering from an ankle injury.