Cignal delivered a rare fast start to its Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference campaign, outlasting Choco Mucho in four sets on Thursday night, February 5,  at the FilOil Playtime Centre in San Juan. The Super Spikers shook off a second-set dip and reasserted control late, closing out a 25-20, 16-25, 25-19, 25-18 victory before a packed crowd.

The win pushed Cignal to a solo 2-0 record following its opening-day sweep of Galeries Tower in the season-ending conference organized by Sports Vision. More importantly, it marked a clear shift for a team whose recent campaigns were often defined by uneven starts and missed opportunities.

Erika Santos anchored the Super Spikers’ offense with 18 points, mixing power and placement while setting the tone in crucial stretches. She credited the team’s shared responsibility and readiness, pointing to the value of collective effort as Cignal builds momentum early in the conference.

Vanie Gandler bounced back from a scoreless second set to finish with 16 points, providing timely scoring when the match tightened. Jackie Acuña and Roselyn Aquino controlled the middle, combining for nine blocks that steadily blunted Choco Mucho’s attack.

Cignal controls the details late

The match turned in the third set, where Cignal transformed a deadlock into separation with a decisive 10-4 run from a 15-all count. Acuña and Aquino capitalized on broken plays and overpasses, giving the Super Spikers breathing room and momentum heading into the fourth.

Cignal’s edge showed in the finer details, finishing with 12 blocks and five service aces while Choco Mucho failed to score in both categories. Those advantages offset Choco Mucho’s lead in attack points and proved decisive during crunch time.

Choco Mucho drew 20 points from Sisi Rondina, with Lorraine Pecaña, Eya Laure and Dindin Manabat also reaching double figures. The Flying Titans stayed within striking distance but struggled to control out-of-system plays as the match wore on.

Composure seals strong start

Buoyed by their strong close in the third, the Super Spikers imposed their will in the fourth set by sustaining pressure through their hitters and converting broken plays into clean points. Jewel Encarnacion delivered key attacks down the stretch, including a through-the-block winner that effectively sealed the outcome.

Cignal coach Shaq delos Santos praised the team’s preparation and commitment, citing the heavy investment made ahead of the match. On the other side, Choco Mucho coach Dante Alinsunurin pointed to missed chances on defensive sequences as lessons moving forward.

Cignal next faces the Farm Fresh Foxies on Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena, carrying momentum into a conference where early rhythm has already set the tone.