PVL: Amid four-game win streak, Cignal HD Spikers brace for tougher battle in semis
Cignal coach Shaq Delos Santos during a huddle with the HD Spikers in the PVL Invitational Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Cignal coach Shaq Delos Santos will not rest on his laurels amid the HD Spiker’s winning streak in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Invitational Conference.
The HD Spikers kicked off their semifinal round campaign with a 25-22, 25-15, 25-21 victory over the PLDT High Speed Hitters on Thursday at Philsports Arena.
“I won’t be content with what they are showing so far because the level of competition continues to level up this semis. But I’m happy with the whole team’s effort. It’s a good sign for us,” said Delos Santos in Filipino. “But it doesn’t mean that everything will be okay. We need to prepare for our next fight because for sure it will be harder.”
Ces Molina nailed 17 points to give the HD Spikers an improved 1-1 record in the semifinal round-robin, earning their fourth straight win. But they carried their four-set loss to their fellow semifinalists F2 Logistics Cargo Movers from the pool phase.
“Since this is the semis we will continue to work hard every game. We can’t be relaxed because when we give other teams a chance, they will grab it. So we need to work,” Molina said in Filipino.
Ces Molina leads Cignal to a semifinals victory in the PVL Invitational Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Gel Cayuna, who provided 15 excellent sets and scored four points off three aces, also vowed not to stop working for the HD Spikers in the semis.
“Earlier, we moved slowly so we have to exert more effort for our next games to bring back our fast-paced game just like what we did in the eliminations,” said the setter. “This semis, we have to play hard right in the first set and need to finish the game as early as we can to add more points.”
Cignal battles the defending champion Creamline on Saturday, eyeing to boost its chances to advance to the winner-take-all final as only the top two teams will advance on July 30.
“We need to take our game to the next level, especially against Creamline. They are a strong team. We need to recover and review our game,” said coach Delos Santos. “We also have to enjoy the game while playing all out against the defending champion. We need to be more consistent.”
Cignal coach Shaq Delos Santos, Ces Molina, and Gel Cayuna on winning their first semis game against sister team PLDT. #PVL2023
Posted by Inquirer Sports on Thursday, July 20, 2023
