By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Cignal HD Spikers opened their Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) Champions League campaign on a high note after sweeping the revamped Chery Tiggo Crossovers, 28-26, 25-19, 27-25, last February 4, 2024, held at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
After a nip-and-tuck affair in the first set, the HD Spikers just steamrolled their way midway through the second to complete the stellar 3-0 victory and kicked off their PNVF bid with an early victory.
The HD Spikers held a 21-17 lead in the opening frame boosted by their disciplined floor defense and on-point middle blocking action.
However, Chery Tiggo suddenly flipped the switch by surviving two set points to cruise to a 25-26 advantage.
Answering the call for the HD Spikers is the duo of Ria Meneses and Vanie Gandler who spearheaded Cignal’s 3-0 run in the final three minutes of the cardiac first set.
As Cignal trailed by a point, 25-26, Meneses sparked Cignal’s offensive blitz after scoring on a quick 1-2 play.
Gandler pushed the HD Spikers to another set point after completing a service ace. Meneses then delivered the killer blow as she swatted away Chery Tiggo’s overextended ball receive in the middle of the net to give her squad the opening set win.
Cignal’s momentum-clinching first-set win led them to two more wins in the second and third sets, spoiling Ara Galang and Aby Marano’s Chery Tiggo debut.
Leading Cignal is Gandler who top-scored for her squad with 15 points built from 13 successful attacks and four service aces.
Veteran outside hitter Ces Molina also stepped up for the HD Spikers after dropping 13 points while Toni Basas chipped in nine markers.
