The Cignal HD Spikers showed no mercy to sister team PLDT High Speed Hitters as they hacked out a 25-22, 25-15, and 25-21 sweep at the start of the single-round robin semifinals of the Premier Volleyball League Invitational at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City on Thursday night.
Frances Xinia Molina top-scored with 17 hits, while Jovelyn Gonzaga added 11 attack points and ended up with 12 markers, and Roselyn Doria came up with three blocks on her way to a 10-point showing.
Gel Cayuna, who was hailed as the Player of the Game with her 15 excellent sets and four points, said there are still things they need to work on, particularly their slow start in the third set, if they wish to reach the finals.
“There was no communication (in the early going of the third set), kaya ibinalik lang namin,” said Cayuna. “Dapat pa din mag-trabaho kasi medyo mabagal pa ang galaw namin, at effort pa rin para maibalik namin ‘yung bilis naming nun eliminations.”
HD Spikers head coach Ceseal delos Santos agreed with his prized setter but is glad that they were able to pull off the victory against the tough High Speed Hitters in one hour and a half.
“We still have lapses, but the good thing is we were able to win it in three (sets),” said Delos Santos in Filipino. “We’re so thankful; we’re so blessed.”
“Magandang opportunity (win) for us kasi ‘yung confidence namin mas tumataas. Pero dapat pa din namin i-polish ang laro namin sa training. Mabibigat ang mga susunod na kalaban, kaya dapat double effort,” he added.
The Cignal HD thus evened its card to 1-1, counting the one loss to the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers it carried from the elimination round, while the PLDT slipped to a 0-2 win-loss slate.
