PVL: Cignal topples Creamline, continues resurgence ahead of quarters

Creamline players celebrate after beating Creamline in the PVL Reinforced Conference.–PVL PHOTO

RODRIGUEZ, Rizal — Cignal secured at least a top six finish heading into the PVL Reinforced Conference quarterfinals after pulling off a come-from-behind  18-25, 25-20, 22-25, 25-16, 15-11 win over defending champion Creamline on Tuesday at Ynares Center Montalban.

Slovak Katrin Trebichavska willed Cignal back from a 1-2 match deficit, scoring 20 points on 15 kills, three blocks, and two aces, as the Super Spikers tied the Cool Smashers at 5-3.

READ: PVL: Erika Santos leading Cignal’s crucial surge

Creamline is already locked at No. 4 with 17 points and will face the fifth seed, while Cignal collected 13 points after winning five of its last six games. The Super Spikers’ playoff match-up depends on the result of the Petro Gazz-PLDT game on Thursday at Mall of Asia Arena.

Trebichavska scored three consecutive points for a 9-4 start in the fifth and stretched it to 13-9 before Jackie Acuña nailed a quick attack for the match point, 14-10. Michele Gumabao saved a point for Creamline, but the Slovak import drilled the match-winner to prevail after two hours and 25 minutes.

“The entire team performed well. I feel like we had a slower start, there were some misconnections, miscommunications, and then we started panicking a little bit. But we were able to come all together,” said Trebichavska.

“As always, I have to say the team helped me a lot. I was able to come out of whatever was happening in my head and we were able to come together and finish the match like we did. I’m super grateful for that and it just felt really awesome.”

READ: Cignal climbs firmly into middle of PVL playoff contention

Cignal drew spark from substitute players as Vanie Gandler scored 15 to go with 10 excellent receptions and seven digs off the bench, while Jessa Ordiales was a revelation with nine points, checking in for Erika Santos, who was limited to eight.

Gel Cayuna had 28 excellent sets on top of three points, as middle blockers Rose Doria-Aquino and Acuña added 12 and 10 points, respectively. Dawn Catindig protected the floor with 28 digs.

“From the past experiences we encountered, including our losses. We had a mindset in this second round that we would work harder and have no room for mistakes,” said Cignal coach Shaq Delos Santos in Filipino. “The whole team showed its willingness. Our players went all out in every training.”

Coco Schwan was the lone Cool Smasher in double figures with 25 points and 16 excellent receptions. Alyssa Valdez and Tots Carlos had nine points each, while Lorie Bernardo added eight off the bench.