1 week Ago By N/A (Manila Bulletin Sports)
With expectations of a challenging duel, Cignal turned potential adversity into opportunity, delivering a commanding 25-15, 25-18, 25-21,victory over Farm Fresh in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Ynares Center in Antipolo on Saturday. With expectations of a challenging duel, Cignal turned potential adversity into opportunity, delivering a commanding 25-15, 25-18, 25-21,victory over Farm Fresh in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Ynares Center in Antipolo on Saturday. The HD Spikers showcased their superiority with a balanced offensive arsenal and stifling defense, highlighting their readiness to contend for the championship following a third place finish in the last AFC and a runner-up effort in the recent Reinforced.
Ces Molina, Roselyn Doria and Riri Meneses led the offensive charge with precise attacks and critical points, supported by standout performances from Jovelyn dela Cruz, Vanie Gandler and the entire roster. Gel Cayuna delivered an impressive 16-excellent set performance to earn top honors in the match. While the ace playmaker expressed pride in the team’s first straight-set win after seven games in the record-setting conference, she acknowledged the need for further adjustments to unlock their full potential.
“We’re happy with the straight-set win, but there’s still a lot to improve on and adjust. We have plenty to work on,” said Cayuna in Filipino. She emphasized that the team has learned valuable lessons from past performances, including their near-title finish in the import-laden conference.
With this new campaign, the team is adopting a fresh mindset to elevate their game. “We’re bringing in a new mindset for this campaign, focusing on how to improve our play and refine our system compared to the last conference,” she added. Their strong performance against the Foxies was a testament to their significant progress and determination to build on their successes.
Cignal’s versatility shone throughout the match as Cayuna contributed directly to the scoreboard with five points, including an ace, ensuring smooth execution of plays. The HD Spikers employed a mix of combination attacks, deceptive decoy plays, and powerful back-row strikes from Molina and Gandler, dismantling Farm Fresh’s defensive setup. Their floor defense and reception were equally impressive, neutralizing Farm Fresh’s attempts to sustain rallies.
The disciplined defense not only frustrated their opponents but also allowed Cignal to dictate the pace and flow of the game. Molina provided the leadership and firepower, finishing with 14 points while Fernandez stood out with 11 markers, Doria and Meneses matched seven-point outputs and Gandler added five points Cignal narrowly outperformed its rivals in spikes (46-41) and dominated in blocks (3-1). Capitalizing on Farm Fresh's struggles with reception, the HD Spikers tallied five service aces while conceding just one.
Additionally, they cashed in on the Foxies’ 21 unforced errors, limiting their own miscues to just 11, further solidifying their control of the one-hour, 27-minute match. Trisha Tubu fired 15 points for the Foxies, who also drew nine markers from Rizza Cruz and a combined 17-point production from Aprylle Tagsip, Alyssa Bertolano, Maicah Larroza, Louie Romero and Pierre Abellana. The HD Spikers stormed out of the gates, quickly establishing their dominance with early leads of 8-2 and 14-4 in the first set.
Their relentless offense, coupled with Farm Fresh’s errors, secured them a lopsided 10-point win. Farm Fresh showed glimpses of its potential in the second frame even in the absence of veteran Rachel Anne Daquis, even managing to lead briefly at 13-11. However, Cignal’s depth and composure came through as the HD Spikers went on a decisive run, with Molina’s through-the-block hits and flawless execution securing a seven-point victory.
The third set saw the Foxies fight back anew, taking a 10-9 lead after an ace from Bertolano and a swipe from Tagsip. Yet, Cignal once again displayed its championship pedigree, responding with a scoring barrage to regain control at 20-17. The HD Spikers held firm in the clutch, closing out the set on a Rochelle Lalongisip attack to complete the sweep.
Daquis, a former team captain of Cignal, was sidelined to prioritize rest and conditioning, a necessary measure in preparation for the demanding six-month-long conference..
