Cignal salvaged a podium finish after repelling F2 Logistics, 25-22, 23-25, 25-20, 25-18, in the Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference battle for third yesterday at the packed Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
The HD Spikers regrouped after surrendering the second frame to capture their second straight conference bronze medal at the expense of the Cargo Movers, who sorely missed the services of injured starting opposite hitter Kim Kianna Dy.
Veterans Jovelyn Gonzaga and Ces Molina waxed hot on offense with their intensity and energy rubbing off on their Cignal teammates to finish the winner-take-all encounter in two hours and 16 minutes.
But it was middle blocker Roselyn Doria who took the spotlight in the decisive 8-1 run of the HD Spikers in the fourth set. She strung up five straight points to turn a 9-8 hairline advantage to a comfortable 17-9 cushion that zapped the fight out of the Cargo Movers.
“We thank the Lord we survived the whole conference healthy. Some of our players suffered light injuries but were quick to recover. We’re very happy we won the bronze medal because of our collective effort,” Cignal head coach Shaq delos Santos said.
“This is an important accomplishment for us.”
Molina paced the HD Spikers with 19 points she collected from 17 attacks, one ace and one kill block while Gonzaga put up 12 attacks, four kill blocks and a pair of aces for 18 markers the lefty hitter laced with 17 digs and eight excellent receptions.
Doria, who was quiet in the first three sets, added 10 points for Cignal, which avenged its 20-25, 28-30, 25-23, 22-25, loss to F2 Logistics in their Pool B encounter in the elimination round last 1 July.
“All our sacrifices are worth it. We sacrificed a lot during the offseason. We did everything we could to make up for what we lacked last conference,” an emotional Doria said.
Setter Angel Cayuna tallied 30 excellent sets to go with six points for the HD Spikers, who outgunned the Cargo Movers, 59-46, on attacks.
Skipper Rachel Anne Daquis had six points while new recruit Vanie Gandler added five off the bench for Cignal, which effectively shut down F2 Logistics scorer Myla Pablo.
The HD Spikers regained control in the third frame after yielding the second set, creating significant separation to keep the Cargo Movers at bay to get back on top, 2-1.
Ivy Lacsina scored all but one of her 16 points on spikes, team captain Aby Marano finished with 10 while Elaine Kasilag had nine points.
The HD Spikers started off strong to set the tone in the opening set.
Cignal opened a 22-15 advantage, just enough to ward off F2 Logistics’ late 5-0 rally that cut its deficit to two. Cayuna and Molina scored back-to-back points to put the HD Spikers at set point.
The Cargo Movers saved a point off a Cayuna error before Molina landed a well-placed off-speed hit to close the opening frame.
F2 Logistics engaged Cignal in a nip-and-tuck battle in the second frame before wriggling out of the tight race, 24-21, only to be threatened by the HD Spikers’ 3-0 fightback.
Kasilag was quick to put things back in order with a strong hit for the match equalizer.
Pablo was a non-factor in the Cargo Movers’ last game in the mid-season tournament with just four points under her name.
It was as bad for middle blocker Majoy Baron after scoring only five despite playing as starter in all four sets.
