The Cignal Super Spikers served as a reminder that discipline and strategic execution are the ultimate equalizers in a league characterized by high-octane offenses and well-known players. The Super Spikers defeated the PLDT High Speed Hitters, who had been unbeaten, in a decisive straight-sets sweep on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, causing the biggest upset of the All-Filipino Conference to date (25-21, 25-19, 25-23). It was a declaration of purpose that basically blew the race for a direct semifinal berth wide open, shattering PLDT’s hopes of a flawless preliminary run and propelling Cignal to the solitary top place at 4-1. This victory wasn’t just another victory for the standings.

The storyline leading up to the game focused on PLDT’s supremacy. The High Speed Hitters had appeared invincible behind the imposing figure of Savi Davison and the revived Kianna Dy. Shaq Delos Santos, the head coach of Cignal, countered PLDT’s height advantage with a brilliant defensive strategy. Cignal finished the game without giving up a single service ace, which is the third time this conference that they have pitched a shutout in reception. The Super Spikers’ “first contact” was perfect. This gave setter Gel Cayuna complete latitude to plan a well-balanced approach that saw Vanie Gandler chip in 14 points and Erika Santos explode for a game-high 17.

The pivotal moment came in the third set, when PLDT went on a frantic 6-0 run to overcome a five-point deficit and take a 17-16 lead. That momentum may have caused Cignal to fold in past conferences. Rather, Cayuna’s iconic one-two dump, which perfectly captured Cignal’s poise under pressure, ended the match after Santos produced two cold-blooded kills. In addition to winning a sister-team rivalry, Cignal changed the league’s power rankings by holding Davison to only 14 marks and upsetting the High Speed Hitters’ attacking rhythm.

Strategic Advantage: The Current State of Betting

This outcome has significant ramifications for the rest of the preliminary round for market watchers. Here’s how to deal with the fluctuating odds:

1. The Benefits of “Clean Sheets.”

At the moment, Cignal is the PVL’s most orderly receiving squad. A team’s point production is predictable and reliable when they stay in “system” more frequently and avoid service aces. Cignal is a good pick for the “First Set Winner” market in upcoming matches. They have an advantage in the early going of a game because they can quickly find their rhythm without making the unpredictable mistakes that other teams do.

2. The Value of the Underdog on “Sets Won.”

Every set counts toward the tiebreakers in the “truncated” 2026 conference format. The “Plus-Handicap” on sets for mid-tier teams like Akari or Galeries when playing top-tier squads has grown more alluring as PLDT has demonstrated fragility. The fact that PLDT lost showed that their offense can be delayed by strong floor defense, raising the possibility that their next matchups would go longer than three sets. When PLDT takes on teams with top-tier liberos, look for value in the “Over 3.5 Sets” market.

3. The Return of the “Post-Sweep.”

In the past, elite teams like PLDT had a tendency to overcorrect in their subsequent games. Expect the High Speed Hitters to play hard in their next encounter after losing in straight sets with little scoring. It’s a high-probability bet to go with the “Over” on Savi Davison’s individual points in their next game because the coaching staff will probably force-feed their main option to get her flow back.

Cignal’s win has guaranteed that no team will obtain the “Sweep Advantage”, a straight ticket to the semifinals, as the preliminary round nears its conclusion. This implies that for each match that remains, the pressure will remain at a boiling point. The 2026 All-Filipino Conference is now the most unexpected season in recent memory because the Super Spikers have shown that the “Big Three” can be defeated.

Top Performers:

• Cignal: Erika Santos (17 pts), Vanie Gandler (14 pts), Gel Cayuna (9 pts, 18 excellent sets)
• PLDT: Savi Davison (14 pts), Kim Kianna Dy (11 pts)

Scores at the end of the match

25-21, 25-19, 25-23, Super Strikers win.