PVL: Cignal barges into first-ever AFC Finals, beats Creamline

PVL SCHEDULE: 2026 All-Filipino Finals – Creamline vs Cignal

Cignal Super Spikers celebrate during a win over Creamline Cool Smashers in the PVL All-Filipino Conference semifinals. Cignal booked its first-ever finals appearance.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — For the first time in franchise history, the Cignal Super Spikers marched into the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference finals.

Cignal bagged a finals-clinching second win in the semifinal round after easing past Creamline, 25-13, 13-25, 25-16, 25-16, on Tuesday at Mall of Asia Arena.

The Super Spikers continued to rely on the troika of Vanie Gandler, Erika Santos, and Tin Tiamzon, with Gel Cayuna maximizing their offensive wealth to be the first team to reach this year’s finals.

READ: Cignal battles Creamline in clash that could push winner to PVL Finals door

Cignal gets a shot at a maiden PVL championship after silver medal finishes in the 2022 Reinforced and 2024 Invitational finals.

The Super Spikers’ second win also eliminated the PLDT High Speed Hitters, who went down 0-2 in the round, removing the bearing of their semis match on Thursday at Filoil Centre.

“I’m really proud of the team. We know how we started and how hard we worked for all of this. It’s great to see everyone’s eagerness, especially the starting six, who really gave so much effort,” said Cignal coach Shaq Delos Santos.

Creamline and Farm Fresh, both 1-1 in the round, dispute the last finals berth on Thursday at 4 p.m.

READ: Having each other’s back, Cignal takes early semifinal lead

Gandler helped Cignal mount a 23-14 spread in the fourth set after scoring off the block before Gel Cayuna outsmarted the Cool Smashers with a drop ball that sent them to match point, 24-15.

Gandler then scored on a broken play from the back row. The referee didn’t whistle, but Cignal called for a floor touch challenge and was successful, as  Jia De Guzman wasn’t able to keep the ball alive.

The Alas Pilipinas star Gandler finished with 24 points, 10 excellent digs, and 10 excellent receptions.

Santos delivered 14 points and 14 excellent receptions for the Super Spikers. Tiamzon had 13 points and 10 receptions. Rose Doria-Aquino added 10, with Cayuna dishing out 29 excellent sets on top of five points.

Dawn Catindig protected the floor with 21 digs.

Creamline fell to a do-or-die situation despite Bernadeth Pons’ 17 points and nine digs. Jema Galanza had 10 points and 17 excellent receptions, while Tots Carlos added eight.