Cignal relied on its seasoned aces at crunchtime as the HD Spikers squeaked out a 25-23, 22-25, 26-24, 26-24 verdict over the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers to bolster their semifinal drive in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference elims at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan Thursday night.
Ces Molina and Jovelyn Gonzaga took over in a wild finish in the last two sets, displaying power and poise to deliver the marginal points with top playmaker Gel Cayuna likewise demonstrating determination and courage to help steer the team to the key victory.
It was Cignal’s fifth straight win and sixth overall against two defeats as it grabbed solo fourth in a mad scramble to the post-elims play of the season-ending conference of the league organized by Sports Vision.
“We’re very blessed, happy and thankful to the Lord, kasi gina-guide Niya talaga kami, nasa Kanya yung strength namin,” said Cignal coach Shaq delos Santos. “Pero huwag kami masa-satisfy sa nakukuha namin, kasi marami pa ang pagdadaanan namin. May three games pa na kailangan paghihirapan talaga.”
Molina banged away 22 points, Gonzaga finished with 15 markers, Vanie Gandler scored 13 points and Roselyn Doria and Riri Meneses added 12 and 11 points, respectively, as delos Santos banked on his tested crew to survive one of the team’s toughest tests.
Cayuna also added four points while shining with 22 excellent sets to clinch the game’s top honors.
“Sipat at tatag lang,” said Cayuna.
But it was Cignal’s power duo which provided the endgame spunk and savvy as Molina fired a kill and Gonzaga foiled Jovelyn Fernandez’s assault to close out the back-and-forth third set.
Dragged into another tense-filled finish in the fourth, the HD Spikers went to the pair again in the clutch as Gonzaga pumped in another blast and Molina powered through F2 Logistics’ double block to likewise steal the fourth set – and the match in two hours and 19 minutes of fierce volley action.
“Sobrang laki nung impact nun sa team. While the game is in progress, kinausap ko yung mga veterans na tiyagain lang ilaro lang kung anong meron sila. Syempre medyo nag-struggle pero pagdating sa dulo talagang tumatrabaho at tinatapos yung game,” said delos Santos.
While Cignal flourished, F2 Logistics languished with another crushing defeat after yielding a five-set setback to Creamline last Tuesday as the Cargo Movers fell to seventh with a 4-4 card in a big blow to their semis bid.
Cignal’s victory likewise spoiled Jolina dela Cruz’s brilliant career-high 30-point game with Ara Galang backing her up with 17 points.
F2 Logistics won the spiking battle, 66-64, and finished with more aces, 6-3. But Cignal dominated the net, coming through with 10 blocks, including four from Gonzaga, against the former’s five.
The HD Spikers also netted 22 points off the Cargo Movers’ unforced errors while giving up 19 points of their own.
Hitting errors and wobbly floor defense in the stretch of the third frame left the HD Spikers hobbling and trailing, 21-24, before they scored two consecutive points to hound the Cargo Movers.
In a stroke of luck, Vanie Gandler served low and the ball hit the tip of the net, resulting in an unexpected set that forced a deuce.
Seizing the moment, and Cignal stayed connected behind Gonzaga and Molina to steal the set and gain the upperhand and the duo virtually reprised their heroics in the fourth to help power the team to victory.