MJ Perez and the Cignal HD Spikers in the battle for bronze against PLDT High Speed Hitters in the PVL Reinforced Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Cignal claimed a fifth franchise bronze after a 20-25, 25-19, 25-18, 25-23, victory over PLDT in the PVL Reinforced Conference on Wednesday at PhilSports Arena.
Behind MJ Perez’s 26 points built on 22 attacks, three blocks and a pair of aces, the HD Spiker managed to outmaneuver the High Speed Hitters and overcome an opening set loss.
“We’re really happy to have secured the bronze, and I’m always proud of our team because they fought hard until the end. We’re always thankful for everything we’ve learned, especially in this conference where we experienced so much,” said coach Shaq delos Santos.
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“We’ll carry this with us into the next league, even though it’s still a bit far off. Actually, we have a game again on [Sept. 6],” Delos Santos added with a bit of humor, referring to the Invitational Conference that had already started earlier in the day.
“I’m so happy of course for the result, it’s still not the result we [really] wanted. It’s still very painful, [what happened] the last game [but] We are happy that we got this bronze medal,” the Venezuelan reinforcement said.
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“We have been working very hard and we have our mindset in this conference that we want to be on the podium. We made it and I’m so happy for the result,” Perez added.
Gel Cayuna orchestrated her team’s bounce back from a tight loss against Creamline on Saturday with 16 excellent sets that also benefited Chai Troncoso with 10 points.
Gel Cayuna and the Cignal HD Spikers in the PVL Reinforced COnference semifinals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
The High Speed Hitters looked like they were gonna extend the match after having the edge for the majority of the fourth set as Elena Samoilenko scored from the back row, 22-20.
Cayuna blocked a kill by Samoilenko but she regained the point with a cross-court. Molina scored off a block which referee Bobby Celso at first called a last touch by Cignal.
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After a lengthy discussion and a referee’s challenge, however, the point was given rightfully to Cignal. Perez pierced the defense of PLDT with a cross and with a triple block, the HD spikers stopped an attack by Samoilenko for the lead and forced coach Rald Ricafort to call a timeout.
Perez hammered a cross for the finishing blow.
After a controversial loss against Akari also on Saturday, PLDT was not able to regain its footing even with Samoilenko’s 35 points and build up on taking the first set.
The Russian was also present in the defense with 17 excellent digs and 10 excellent receptions. Fiola Ceballos chipped in 12 points as Kim Fajardo tossed 13 excellent sets for the High Speed Hitters who finished just out of the podium.
Kath Arado led PLDT from the defense with 17 excellent digs and 13 excellent receptions.
“First of all, [we need to remain] healthy because [the next conference will be] very harsh. We will be playing one game every other day, I think we have to be very mentally ready and of course physically,” Perez said. “But I think we have positive [momentum]. This is gonna be good for the team.”