MANILA, Philippines – After a difficult season in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference, Cignal managed to salvage some honor by defeating Capital1 25-19, 25-17, 25-20, and finishing sixth at the Philsports Arena in Pasig on Saturday.

The HD Spikers won their last two preliminary matches, including a thrilling four-set triumph over the PLDT High Speed Hitters the previous weekend. The victory took many by surprise as the HD Spikers also eliminated their sister team from the semi-finals.

Cignal finished sixth with a 7-4 record, behind PLDT, which actually equaled Creamline for fourth place with an 8-3 record. But with a better point total of 24 to the High Speed Hitters’ 23 in the semifinals, the reigning champs took home the last semi-final spot.

Nevertheless, Cignal should feel more motivated as the HD Spikers get ready for the Second Conference of the league run by Sports Vision thanks to their recent successes.

“We truly desired to conclude our campaign with triumph,” stated Roselyn Doria, who secured the top spot in the game with a total of 12 points, all of which came from assaults. The recent two victories really raised our spirits. You may depend on us for the upcoming conference, since we have gained a great deal of knowledge from this experience.

In the third set, despite Capital1 taking the lead early on (5-1), Cignal quickly answered with a four-point rally to tie the match. The HD Spikers then capitalized on their opponents’ service faults to regain control, 8-6.

With the help of Gen Casugod, Chai Troncoso, Jovelyn Fernandez, and Ces Molina leading the way, Cignal dominated with a 10-5 run, winning 17–13.

But Capital1 would not give up, staging a fightback spearheaded by Janeca Lana, whose first-round strike forced the Solar Spikers to concede a 19–20 lead.
However, a Casugod block of Jorelle Singh’s backrow assault gave Cignal a two-point lead.

Alas, a Troncoso backrow error allowed the Solar Spikers to remain in the game.

To the dismay of head coach Roger Gorayeb, Shirley Salamagos served into the net, and the HD Spikers won with three straight points in the final minutes.

It took an hour and twenty-five minutes to end the match, with Cignal winning thanks in part to another poor attack by Singh.

Jovelyn Gonzaga scored nine points, Vanie Gandler added six points in two sets, while Casugod and Fernandez each contributed five markers. Molina finished with 12 markers as well.

Singh led the Solar Spikers in scoring with 14 points, but Capital1’s inaugural campaign ended with a 1-10 record. The team’s other players were unable to provide consistent support for Singh. In addition to Salamagos’ four points apiece, Lana, Rovena Instrella, and Lourdes Clemente each scored seven points.

Amidst this, Petro Gazz beats Nxled and takes the top spot.

As the Angels defeated the Nxled Chameleons, 22-25, 25-23, 25-23, 25-22, to secure the top place in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference preliminary round at the Philsports Arena on Saturday, MJ Philips made a victorious return to Petro Gazz.

After spending time in the Korean league, Philips made an instant impression in the closing minutes of the game. His rapid assaults contributed to the Angels’ triumph in a fierce two hours and nine minute struggle.

Petro Gazz finished the preliminary round at 9-2, joining Choco Mucho and Chery Tiggo after five straight wins. But the Angels defeated the Chameleons in four sets to win three vital points that sent them to the top of the Reinforced Conference standings with 28 points.

With 26 points, Choco Mucho secured the second position, and Chery Tiggo finished third with 25 points. Creamline’s 8-3 slate allowed them to take the fourth position.

That made for an entertaining semifinal matchup between Creamline and Choco Mucho at 4 p.m. on Tuesday at the Philsports Arena, with the Petro Gazz-Chery Tiggo match starting at 6 p.m.

Jho Maraguinot knotted the game for the final time at 19, but Philips took control and the Angels scored four of the final six points, three of which came from fast breaks and a deft push. On a hit, Kamille Cai stopped a match point, but Camille Victoria served into the net, giving the Angels the win and the top place.