Cignal HD Spikers in the PVL Invitationals. –PVL PHOTO
STA. Rosa, Laguna — Cignal booked a ticket to the semifinals of the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Invitational Conference after eking out with a 25-21, 26-24, 14-25, 25-22 victory over Creamline for its fourth straight victory on Thursday at Sta. Rosa Sports Complex here.
With Ces Molina leading the charge once again and setter Gel Cayuna returning to action to orchestrate their offense, the HD Spikers unleashed a strong start to take a two-set lead and staved off a close fourth frame to snap the Cool Smashers’ 10-game win streak from a perfect Open Conference last April.
Cignal erased a 15-19 deficit in the fourth set with the help of Creamline’s attack errors as Cayuna’s block on Jema Galanza, who also committed a wide attack after the rejection, gave the HD Spikers a 22-21 advantage.
The setter out of Far Eastern University then scored a drop ball and nailed an ace for the matchpoint, 24-22, before Rachel Anne Daquis delivered the game-winning hit to close out the game in two hours and three minutes.
“Thank you, Lord for this win. We’re so proud of our players since we faced the defending champions. Especially Angel, she just returned with the team earlier after receiving a medical clearance yesterday,” said Cignal head coach Shaq Delos Santos in Filipino. “We’re so happy with this big win because we respect Creamline so much.”
Cignal’s Ces Molina in the PVL Invitationals. PVL PHOTO
Molina topped all scorers with 15 points off 11 attacks and four blocks and had 12 digs, while Cayuna, who sat out last Saturday, dished out 17 excellent sets and six points including three service aces coming off the bench.
Chai Troncoso scored seven of her 11 points in the first set. Rachel Anne Daquis had 10 points and 15 excellent receptions. Ria Meneses nailed four blocks for seven markers, as Jerrili Malabanan also played with quality minutes adding five points.
The HD Spikers fought back from a 21-24 deficit in the second set after the Cool Smashers committed three straight errors. Malabanan pushed Cignal at set point, 25-24 before Meneses gave their team a two-set advantage.
It was Creamline’s first loss since the 2021 PVL bubble finals, dropping to 2-1 and causing a triple tie at No.2 with Army Black Mamba and PLDT.
Tots Carlos carried the Cool Smashers with 21 points. Galanza chipped in 13 points and seven receptions. Celine Domingo had 11 points, including two blocks, while Alyssa Valdez was limited to nine.
The PVL Open Conference champion outplayed Cignal in spiking, 56-38, but it gave up 32 errors.