Cignal HD Spikers in the battle of bronze in the PVL Invitational Conference. -MARLO CUETO/INQUIREr.net
MANILA, Philippines — Ces Molina and Jovelyn Gonzaga led the Cignal HD Spikers to their second straight bronze in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Invitational Conference after outlasting the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers, 25-22, 23-25, 25-20, 25-18, on Sunday at Philsports Arena.
Molina capped her high-scoring performance in the midseason conference with 19 points, as Gonzaga delivered with 18 points off 12 attacks, four blocks, and two aces to go with 17 digs and eight excellent receptions as Cignal earned its third bronze — fourth time to be in the podium — in the last five tournaments.
Setter Gel Cayuna paced the HD Spikers with 30 excellent sets and scored six markers including three aces, while Rose Doria drilled the big blows in the fourth to send the Cargo Movers to the fourth place after missing Kianna Dy anew due to a knee injury.
From holding a precarious 9-8 lead in the fourth, Doria ignited Cignal’s five straight points to pull away with a 14-8 spread and never looked back in avenging their lone pool phase defeat to F2 Logistics and finished with seven wins out of 10 games.
Cignal HD Spikers’ Gel Cayuna. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.nett
“This conference, our sacrifices paid off because we worked hard during the break. We did what we have to do because we fell short last conference,” said Doria in Filipino referring to their underwhelming finish in the All-Filipino Conference.
Despite missing the championship round anew, Cignal coach Shaq Delos Santos was pleased with their performance.
“Thank you, Lord because we survived this conference. Although there are minor injuries, my players were able to recover,” said Delos Santos in Filipino. “This is still a bronze medal. We’re happy with this and we wanted to win this game. We will accept this whole-heartedly.”
Ivy Lacsina led the way for F2 Logistics with 16 points. Aby Maraño chipped in 10 points, while Elaine Kasilag provided the spark from the bench with nine points as Myla Pablo and Majoy Baron, the top scorers of their past win over Kinh Bac-Bac Ninh, were limited to a combined nine markers.
The Cargo Movers failed to repeat their bronze medal from the All-Filipino Conference as they ended the Invitationals with a 5-5 record.