By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Cignal HD Spikers proved to be too much for the young Farm Fresh Foxies squad after sweeping them in straight sets, 25-10, 25-14, 25-15, in the ongoing Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference on April 4, 2024, at the Philsports Arena.
Jovelyn “The Bionic Ilongga” Gonzaga spearheaded Cignal’s relentless attack and top-scored her team with 17 big points derived from 16 successful attacks.
Aside from her offense that was clicking all day for the HD Spikers, Gonzaga’s tremendous contribution on the defensive end lifted Cignal to the flawless victory.
Gonzaga also stuffed the stat sheets and ended the one-sided affair with 10 excellent digs, seven excellent receptions, two service aces, and a block.
It was a much-needed bounce-back victory for the HD Spikers after receiving a painful five-set loss against the Creamline Cool Smashers during their last outing.
Despite holding a 2-0 advantage and already a set away from upsetting the reigning champions, the HD Spikers squandered their lead and suffered a reverse sweep when Creamline took the last three sets.
Learning from their lesson against one of the top teams in the league, Cignal buckled to work early in the game and didn’t allow the Foxies to build any momentum.
Cignal also put an emphasis on their floor coverage and middle blocking, the main key to holding the young and athletic team to only 39 points in three sets.
“Syempre sobrang happy and thankful kasi yung mga pinaghirapan talaga namin before holy week and after talagang na-apply namin ng maayos. Ang isang challenge lang samin is paano namin siya ma-maintain the whole game,” said Cignal head coach Shaq delos Santos.
Also stepping up when the team needed her the most is veteran outside hitter Ces Molina who produced 11 points built from 10 successful attacks.
Gel Cayuna, Cignal’s main orchestrator, ended the victory with 18 excellent sets to go alongside five markers and three excellent receptions.
The HD Spikers will look for their second consecutive win in the conference on April 11, 2024, as they take on the rolling Chery Tiggo Crossovers.
