PVL: Cignal fends off Galeries Tower in five-set thriller

MJ Perez and the Cignal HD Spikers against Galeries Tower High Risers in the PVL Reinforced Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–Cignal got to experience the smothering defense of Galeries Tower but held on to survive a marathon 23-25, 25-22, 26-28, 25-14, 15-11 clash in the PVL Reinforced Conference on Thursday at PhilSports Arena.

MJ Perez played a big role punching in 34 points built on 31 attacks and three blocks to lift the HD Spikers to their sixth win in seven games.

“The good thing is that we won this game, even though we know we haven’t reached our full potential yet. What I mean is that we can still play much better,” coach Shaq delos Santos said.

SCHEDULE: 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference second round

Two more from Cignal reached double-digits with Gel Cayuna’s 31 excellent sets in Ces Molina with 19 points and Riri Meneses 10 points. Cayuna also had eight points like Jackie Acuna.

“I’m happy with the win, but the game earlier was really challenging. It really tested our patience because we know that Galeries is strong in both attack and defense,” Cayuna said.

“That was the challenge we held onto—figuring out how to match them and how to win the game,” she added.

But they were also active in defense with Perez blunting the service of the eliminated Highrisers with 16 excellent receptions, Molina caught 12 excellent digs and 14 receptions and Cayuna 10 excellent digs.

It didn’t matter to Galeries Tower that it was already out of playoff contention with Chuewulim Sutadta’s 19 points and Ysa Jimenez 18 points from Renee Mabilangan’s 17 excellent sets.

The Highrisers’ strong offensive showing was made possible by none other than their terrific floor defense exemplified by Alyssa Eroa who had 26 excellent digs and 14 excellent receptions.

Sutadta was no slouch either with 20 excellent digs and receptions although it was not enough to stop a seven-game bleeding for Galeries Tower.

Galeries Tower High Risers’ Chuewulim Sutadta. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Both teams wanted to score the wins in the up until the deciding frame but Cignal pulled away as the HD Spikers relentlessly pierced through the defense of the Highrisers, 10-5.

Graze Bombita did not give up but Cignal stepped on the gas pedal as Perez and Meneses landed shots, 12-8. Dimdim Pacres scored off the block before Roselyn Doria attempted a quick that sailed out.

Marzan blocked Molina but Perez got the point back from a fast back row hit but Cayuna did not want to prolong anymore the two-hour and 17 minute match and delivered an ace after Pacres misreceived.

“I think we really did a good job today because this is part of the league, right? Sometimes we can win like easy but sometimes we have to be [challenged],” Perez said as they cap off their preliminary schedule against also-ran Nxled next.

“And this is good for what we want in the future. It’s good how we react in these situations, and the good thing is that we got the win,’ she added.