PVL: Cignal claims No. 3 spot with sweep of Akari
Cignal HD Spikers celebrate during a win over Akari in the PVL All-Filipino Conference.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–Cignal secured the third seed in the PVL All-Filipino Conference qualifying round following a 25-17, 25-15, 25-21 sweep of Akari on Tuesday at PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
The HD Spikers wrapped up their preliminary schedule riding a three-game win streak mainly because of Vanie Gandler’s 15 points. Rose Doria-Aquino punched in 12 points from nine kills and three blocks.
“Thank you sa team, coaches and players, especially sa management, kasi talagang naga-all out din buong training and sobrang appreciate ko yung effort ng lahat,” Cignal coach Shaq delos Santos said.
SCHEDULE: PVL All-Filipino Conference 2024-25
Cignal coach Shaq Delos Santos, Rose Doria-Aquino and Vanie Gandler talk about their three-game winning streak heading to the #PVL2025 qualifying round. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/tf2S37PDEu
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) February 18, 2025
“So siguro yung respect lang din namin sa isa’t isa. Sobrang happy kasi ito rin yung target namin na hopefully makuha talaga namin yung No. 3 [sa standings],” he added.
Rookie Ishie Lalongisip continues to be reliable after contributing 10 points as Gel Cayuna dished out 19 excellent sets to lift Cignal to an 8-3 record heading to the knockout round.
Akari managed to somehow keep up with Cignal early in the third frame until the HD Spikers got their footing and surged to a 16-12 advantage.
With a 4-1 exchange, capped by an off speed hit by Jov Fernandez, Cignal climbed to a 22-15 edge as the Chargers retaliated with a 4-0 run of their own.
READ: PVL: Cignal fends off ZUS Coffee, Ishie Lalongisip has career-best
Gandler and Faith Nisperos traded cross-court hits, Fernandez scored off a block before Doria-Aquino committed a service error, 24-21, as Jackie Acuña had enough with a running kill for the decision.
Nisperos was the most productive Charger finishing with 12 points, all from attacks.
Akari finished the preliminary round on a two-game skid to a 5-6 standing as it awaits its final position going into the next round.
