PVL: Cignal notches 3rd straight win, fights off Galeries Tower

Cignal spiker Ces Molina.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Cignal recovered from a third set loss before turning back Galeries Tower, 25-17, 25-17, 24-26, 25-11, for its third straight win in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) second All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday at Philsports Arena.

The HD Spikers couldn’t complete a sweep in the third set as the Highrisers earned their first set win behind the back-to-back clutch kills by Ysa Jimenez. But they quickly got their act together in the fourth with a 17-7 start and never looked back to end the game in one hour and 50 minutes.

Ces Molina, once again, showed the way for the HD Spikers with 17 points, 16 digs, and 11 excellent receptions. Vanie Gandler chipped in 14 points, while Jovelyn Gonzaga added 12 markers.

Gel Cayuna made 21 excellent sets on top of four points including two aces as Roselyn Doria contributed 11 points highlighted by three blocks to lift Cignal to the sixth seed with an improved 4-2 record behind the four-way tie between Petro Gazz, PLDT, Chery Tiggo, and Choco Mucho at 4-1.

Gonzaga said they learned a lot from their game before their crucial match against the Petro Gazz Angels on Saturday at the same venue in Pasig City.

Jovelyn Gonzaga.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

“A lot of lessons learned ang takeaway namin sa game na to and thankful din kami sa coaching staff dahil sa patience na pinakita samin. Credits din sa Galeries, ang ganda rin ng pinakita nila against us. Kami, control lang namin yung mga bagay-bagay na kailangan namin i-improve as a team so tonight nakita namin kasi next game mas mabigat na kalaban namin,” Gonzaga said.

”No complacency talaga, kailangan namin paghirapan at pagpursigihan kaming buong team kasi everybody counts sa team na to. Yun yung pagiigihan namin na mag step up kami bawat isa kung sino man ipasok sa loob ng court na dapat maasahan ang bawat isa.”

Cignal coach Shaq Delos Santos agreed with his veteran opposite spiker, believing this kind of game will make them stronger in the crucial part of the elimination as only the top four teams will advance to the semis.

“Malaking factor sa amin ‘tong pagkapanalo. Credits sa Galeries kasi ang ganda nung naging performance nila especially dun sa third set, No. 1 yung service nila, naging consistent talaga, sobrang hard service yung mga binigay nila kanila,” Delos Santos said. “Pero para sa amin lesson learned lang yung nangyari and part nung process para mas maging matibay and marami kaming ma ealize and kailangan maging mas aggressive pa kami.”

Galeries remained winless in five games with Jimenez leading the way with 14 points and 11 digs. Roma Joy Doromal had 11 points.

The Highrisers take on the red-hot PLDT Highspeed Hitters on Thursday also at Philsports Arena.