PVL: Cignal eliminates Army Black Mamba from finals race

Ria Meneses carries Cignal to their last victory in the PVL Invitationals semifinals. –PVL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Cignal proved to be the steadier side, edging Army Black Mamba, 26-24, 26-28, 25-18, 18-25, 16-14, in the Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference semifinals Saturday at Ynares Center in Antipolo.

Ria Meneses, Ces Molina and Rachel Daquis took turns in offense behind the brilliant playmaking by Gel Cayuna as the HD Spikers improved to 1-1 in the semis and remained in finals contention.

Meneses fired a game-high 23 points while Cayuna dished out 39 excellent sets with four points to boot. Molina and Daquis combined for 31 points.

“We’re very thankful because we dealt with so much before the start of the semis,” said delos Santos, who had to overcome manpower issues largely due to injuries to his key cogs, in Filipino.

Cignal rebounded after dropping a four-setter to PLDT last Thursday.

Jovelyn Gonzaga scored 21 points for the Lady Troopers, who dropped to 0-3 and bowed out of contention.

Army lost to PLDT in three sets and Creamline in four in its first two games in the semis.