By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Cignal HD Spikers are off to a rousing start in the ongoing Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference semifinals after sweeping the Chery Tiggo Pro Crossovers, 28-26, 25-17, 25-23, last November 23, 2022 held at the Philsports Arena.
Cignal bucked their slow start and picked up their momentum midway in the first set to fend off the surging Crossovers.
After starting the match with several receive errors, the HD Spikers suddenly flipped the switch and banked on the offensive prowess of their super import Tai Bierria.
Bierria came off the bench for the HD Spikers and made her presence felt quickly after converting on back-to-back thundering spikes that woke up the Cignal crowd in attendance.
The American outside hitter immediately waxed hot for the HD Spikers and found the open gaps in the Pro Crossover’s backline.
In just the first set, Bierria was able to score two wide-open spikes that landed at the backline of the Pro Crossovers which became their problem throughout the match.
The HD Spikers then didn’t look back and continued pouring in the attack in the last two sets led by Bierria who went unconscious in the last set.
Tiggo even grabbed the lead early in the last set but Bierria’s heroics lifted her team in the most crucial stretch of the match and scored three kills to seal the deal for the HD Spikers.
Bierria earned another Player of the Game honor and finished the intense match with 21 points built from 19 successful attacks alongside two blocks.
Gel Cayuna was also solid in orchestrating the HD Spikers’ offense after tallying 18 excellent sets including three points.
“Well, unexpected din na ma-straight namin yung game kasi siyempre knowing Chery, number two sila. So nagkaroon kami ng chance na magawa namin ng maayos yung game plan kahit na puro review lang talaga kami kahapon,” said Cignal head coach Shaq delos Santos.
The HD Spikers will next face the no.1 seeded Creamline Cool Smashers on November 27, 2022, Sunday, at 2:30 PM while the Pro Crossovers are seeking to bounce back against the Petro Gazz Angels in the last game of the doubleheader.
