CIGNAL leaned on grit, poise and an unflinching endgame mindset to survive the Farm Fresh Foxies’ relentless challenge, grinding out a tense 25-17, 26-24, 20-25, 30-28 victory Tuesday night before a packed Mall of Asia Arena crowd to seize solo command of the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference eliminations.
The Super Spikers erased a five-point deficit in the second set, absorbed a third-set setback, then dug deep in a nerve-racking fourth frame – saving two set points and trading blows through a series of heart-stopping 1-2 plays – before finally breaking through in a two-hour, 10-minute war of nerves.
Vanie Gandler anchored that resolve, exploding for 25 points while delivering a masterclass in all-around play. The Alas Pilipinas standout piled up 17 excellent digs and 15 receptions, sealing a superb triple-double performance that earned her Best Player of the Game honors.
“Everything we trained for showed today,” said Gandler. “I’m happy I was able to help the team get this win.”
She was quick to deflect individual credit, underscoring the collective toughness forged after earlier wins over Galeries Tower and Choco Mucho.
Cignal’s depth and calm under pressure surfaced again in the closing stretch of the fourth set. Erika Santos poured in 15 points, including clutch conversions amid the late chaos, while playmaker Gel Cayuna steadied the offense with 19 excellent sets and timely 1-2 plays that repeatedly kept Farm Fresh guessing.
After Cignal clawed back from a 22-24 hole to take a 27-26 edge, the set devolved into a test of composure. Jacqui Acuña’s running attack shattered one deadlock, Royse Tubino answered, and tension peaked with every rally. But as the Foxies began to crack – highlighted by a rare foot fault by Riri Meneses that handed Cignal another match point – the Super Spikers stayed locked in.
The match ended fittingly on poise: Farm Fresh scrambled on defense, sent an overpass back, and Santos calmly converted it into the winning push as the Foxies failed to recover, sealing the set, the match – and Cignal’s rise to a 3-0 solo lead.
The victory also set the stage for a mouth-watering showdown against fellow unbeaten Nxled (2-0) at the Ynares Center in Antipolo on Saturday.
But for Gandler and the Super Spikers, sustaining the streak starts with discipline.
“Tomorrow is a new day,” said Gandler, who also battled gastroenteritis on Monday. “We focus on recovery, then it’s back to work.”
Farm Fresh absorbed another heartbreaking loss after a similar collapse against Nxled last Feb. 3. Trisha Tubu led the Foxies with 19 points, while veterans Ces Molina and Royse Tubino added 18 and 14, respectively.
Despite matching Cignal nearly point for point – 62-61 in attacks, 9-7 in blocks, and three aces apiece – the Foxies faltered where it mattered most.
