Cignal snatched victory from the brink as it battled back to stun Nxled, 25-21, 23-25, 20-25, 25-15, 16-14, in a gripping five-set duel in the PVL Reinforced Conference at the Ynares Center Montalban on Saturday, October 25.

The win marked the Super Spikers’ second straight triumph after dropping their first two outings, following their earlier shocker over PLDT that ended the High Speed Hitters’ 15-game streak. Despite debuting new import Katrin Trebichavska, Cignal needed every ounce of resolve to fend off a determined Nxled side desperate to avoid another loss.

Down two sets to one, the Super Spikers regrouped in the fourth before surviving a tense fifth frame. Facing match point at 13–14, Trebichavska’s clutch attack tied it, a Paola Martinez miscue flipped the lead, and Roselyn Aquino sealed it with a decisive joust against Jaja Maraguinot. A brief Nxled challenge for a possible net touch delayed the celebration, but the review upheld the point and confirmed Cignal’s two-hour, 16-minute victory.

Santos, Trebichavska lead balanced charge

Erica Santos matched Trebichavska’s 21-point debut to bag Best Player honors, delivering timely hits that fueled Cignal’s comeback. The PVL On Tour MVP credited setter Gel Cayuna and her teammates for the composure that carried them through tense stretches.

“We knew it wouldn’t be easy, so we just stuck to the system,” Santos said in Filipino. Coach Shaq delos Santos lauded his players’ grit and composure, praising Santos, who celebrated her birthday, and Trebichavska for their leadership.

Aquino and Jackie Acuña added nine points apiece, while Cayuna dished out 29 excellent sets to narrowly edge Maraguinot’s 28 for Nxled. Tin Tiamzon contributed six points in the balanced attack.

Nxled’s valiant stand falls short

For Nxled, the loss was a bitter pill after a breakout 38-point explosion from Martinez, who nearly carried the Chameleons to their first win. Chiara Permentilla chipped in 16 points, and Lyann de Guzman added 11, but the team faltered in the closing moments.

The Chameleons out-blocked Cignal 14–10, but service errors and reception lapses proved costly. Cignal’s 10 aces and 26 points off Nxled miscues made the difference in the tight contest.

Trebichavska, who also posted 10 digs and seven receptions, admitted her debut was “rough” but expressed confidence she could contribute more as the conference progresses.

With the win, Cignal improved to 2–2 in Pool A, while Nxled slipped to 0–4, still in search of its first victory.