Cignal HD, which could not seem to win ballgames in the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference the last time out, now just could not seem to lose.
Keeping the momentum of their imposing second set romp that drew them level with the Choco Mucho Flying Titans, the HD Spikers also took the next two and romped off with a 20-25, 25-17, 25-20, 25-16 victory yesterday to move a win away from pulling off a surprise sweep of the five-team Group A play at the Paco Arena in Manila.
Quite a stirring start indeed for a team which finished last with only a win to show in nine games in the league’s inaugural pro season in Ilocos Norte late last year.
The Shaq delos Santos-coached squad, which earlier upended two of the league’s most fancied teams, defending champion Chery Tiggo and multi-titled F2 Logistics, also in four-set fashions, seeks to complete its remarkable surge against Army at the close of the two-group, single-round elims tomorrow.
With a 3-0 mark, Cignal has secured a twice-to-beat edge in the knockout quarterfinals of the league organized by Sports Vision.
“We need proper recovery as we prepare against Army. We need to communicate more and be ready in anticipation of the tougher grind,” said delos Santos, who kept on drawing big games from his combo of aces, including Roselyn Doria, who produced a top-scoring 17-point performance in their one-hour, 43-minute victory.
“I’m proud of her (Doria). She’s always all-out in practice. Actually, she wasn’t satisfied with her performance in the first two games. She always knew she can do better. Hopefully, she continues to improve,” he added.
The veteran mentor also cited Ces Molina’s resolve as the latter came out of a brief rehab after sustaining an ankle injury the last time out to fire 14 points while seasoned Rachel Ann Daquis continued to provide the poise and leadership and finished with 10 points, the same output put in by Angeli Araneta.
“We’re thankful to the Lord for giving us this win,” said delos Santos, who also drew nine hits from Ria Meneses, six markers from ace setter Gel Cayuna and four points from Jerrili Malabanan.
Choco Mucho dropped to 2-1 in a tie with F2 Logistics.
Unperturbed by their first-set defeat, the HD Spikers came out of the second frame an organized lot, cranking up their offense while firming up their defense anchored on a solid net stint that saw them produce an impressive 16-block point norm against their rivals’ three.
Midway in the fourth, Cignal had piled up 14 blocks points against Choco Mucho’s measly two despite its tall frontline rotation.
Kat Tolentino pumped in 19 points, including 18 on attacks, while Aduke Ogunsanya backed her up with 10 points but the rest of the Flying Titans struggled after a hot first set outing with Ponggay Gaston and Bea de Leon finishing with five points apiece.
Meantime, unbeaten Creamline and Petro Gazz dispute the Group B lead at the close of their side of the single round elims today (Wednesday).
The Cool Smashers, seeking redemption from their failed title bid in the league’s inaugural pro staging under bubble setup in Ilocos Norte last year, trampled the PLDT High Speed Hitters and the BaliPure Purest Water Defenders in straight sets but will be hard-pressed to keep their perfect run against the Angels in their 6 p.m. encounter.
Petro Gazz needed an extra set to repulse BaliPure and PLDT but the Angels, led by Nicole Tiamzon, MJ Phillips, Jonah Sabete, Remy Palma, Aiza Pontillas and Myla Pablo, are out to dish out their best against the powerhouse Cool Smashers, whose fivesome of Alyssa Valdez, Tots Carlos, Jema Galanza, Risa Sato and Jia De Guzman, remains one of the most reliable combinations in the league.
Winless BaliPure and PLDT clash for the third spot at 3 p.m. with both teams going flat out for the needed boost and momentum in the knockout quarterfinal round.