CEBU — Cignal maintained its dominant form in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference, sweeping Nxled, 25-18, 25-22, 25-23, in front of a packed Minglanilla Sports Complex crowd on Saturday.
The HD Spikers showcased their offensive firepower and defensive discipline, overpowering the Chameleons in the opening set, withstanding a spirited second-set challenge, and closing strong in the third to extend their unbeaten streak to four matches and reclaim the league’s solo lead.
This latest victory added to Cignal’s impressive run, which includes wins over Farm Fresh (3-0) in Antipolo, Chery Tiggo (3-1) at the FilOil EcoOil Arena, and Choco Mucho (3-1) at the Philsports Arena. The results have firmly established the HD Spikers as the team to beat in the tournament organized by Sports Vision.
A 25-minute power outage briefly halted the match, heightening the suspense for the over-capacity crowd of 4,205. Despite the delay, Nxled showed grit against their heavily favored opponents but faltered in critical moments, allowing Cignal to secure the hard-fought two-hour, five-minute victory.
Nxled controlled portions of the second and third sets, even taking a 13-7 lead in the second frame. However, timely substitutions by Cignal coach Shaq delos Santos turned the tide, with Juliet Abil and Roselyn Doria spearheading a 9-0 scoring run that shifted the momentum.
“It’s a team effort, and we survived the distractions,” said Vanie Gandler, who led Cignal with 13 points, including three kill blocks.
Gandler acknowledged the need for improved communication, emphasizing consistency to address moments of vulnerability.
“My role is very crucial, and I just want to continue being a team player and help in any way I can,” said Gandler, who also tallied six excellent digs.
Cignal’s Ces Molina delivered a steady performance with 10 points, including two decisive plays that sealed the first and third sets. Doria provided a spark off the bench, contributing eight points, while Riri Meneses added seven, including two kill blocks.
On the other hand, Nxled’s Chiara Permentilla scored a game-high 18 points, while Lucille Almonte and Lycha Ebon chipped in 11 and 10, respectively. Despite their efforts, the Chameleons dropped to 0-5, still searching for their first win.
Cignal trailed in spikes, 41-42, but compensated with superior blocking, tallying seven compared to Nxled’s two. The HD Spikers also recorded three service aces and took advantage of Nxled’s 24 unforced errors.
The HD Spikers’ relentless assault, led by Gandler and Molina, set the tone early. Meneses and Jackie Acuña disrupted Nxled’s rhythm at the net, leaving the Chameleons struggling to keep pace in the opening frame.
Despite Nxled’s improved communication and brief surges in the second and third sets, Cignal’s depth and timely adjustments proved too much to overcome.
The win solidifies Cignal’s standing atop the leaderboard as they prepare for tougher challenges in the coming weeks.
