Fiery HD Spikers hand PLDT four-set heartbreak

Cignal HD Spikers. PVL PHOTO

STA. ROSA, Laguna: Despite Cignal not being in the semfinals race, the HD Spikers put up a fight and overcame a first set hiccup against the PLDT High Speed Hitters, 24-26, 26-24- 25-17, 28-26, in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) 2024 All-Filipino Conference at the Sta. Rosa Sports Complex in Laguna on Saturday, April 20. Player of the game Jov Gonzaga put up 16 points, while Ces Molina and Vanie Gandler scored, 15 and 12 points, respectively. The HD Spikers showed incredible net defense after tallying 14 blocks as PLDT only had eight. Dawn Macandili-Catindig took care of Cignal’s floor defense as she made 19 excellent digs, and 16 excellent receptions.

Reigning best setter Gel Cayuna made 19 excellent sets and also made six points. Knowing that his squad is out of for the semifinals contention, coach Shaq Delos Santos shared that he is glad to see that the HD Spikers are back in their winning form after suffering tough losses. “I am so happy with this win. Knowing that this match is non-bearing or others might think that this is a non-bearing game but this is all about us gaining our confidence and returning to our winning ways. I am just so glad to see their performance, I miss that intensity, and I am thankful on how our players played,” Delos Santos told the press after the game. With Cignal’s win, Creamline, Choco Mucho, and Petro Gazz now secured their semifinals slot, while PLDT will need to wait for Chery Tiggo’s match against Nxled and will next face the defending champion Creamline. Savannah Davison 29-point outing, and Dell Palomata’s 15 points was not enough to beat the win-hungry Cignal.