Cignal delivered a timely reset to its campaign on Tuesday, February 24, overpowering PLDT in straight sets to seize solo control of the standings. The Super Spikers imposed their rhythm early and never loosened their grip in a 25-21, 25-19, 25-23 decision in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference preliminaries at the FilOil Playtime Centre.

The emphatic result not only pushed Cignal to a 4-1 record but also erased any remaining cushion in the race for outright semifinal berths. With PLDT absorbing its first defeat after a strong start, the chase for the Final Four has tightened considerably.

Cignal’s victory also extended its recent mastery over its sister squad. Time after time, regardless of form entering the match, the Super Spikers have managed to disrupt the High Speed Hitters’ preferred flow.

Cayuna steers disciplined Cignal attack

Setter Gel Cayuna orchestrated the win with calm efficiency, finishing with 18 excellent sets while contributing nine points. Her well-timed 1-2 plays and a crucial service ace repeatedly caught PLDT off balance and kept the offense moving with pace.

Cayuna credited the team’s adherence to structure for the bounce-back showing after their previous setback. She said the Super Spikers have grown more composed in pressure situations as the conference progresses.

“Sinunod lang namin ang game plan at strategy ni coach,” said Cayuna, referring to coach Shaq delos Santos after earning Best Player of the Game honors. “Sa apat na games, natutunan na naming i-control ang sarili namin, lalo na sa mga dikitang laban.”

Comfortable toggling between playmaker and scorer, Cayuna added that her aggressiveness stems from the confidence built within the group. She emphasized that trust among teammates allows her to contribute wherever the team needs her most.

“Sanay na akong mag-contribute kung saan kailangan,” she said. “Pero nagagawa ko iyon dahil sa suporta ng mga teammates ko.”

PLDT’s late push falls short

Erika Santos powered the attack with 17 points, while Vanie Gandler supplied 14 markers to sustain pressure on the PLDT defense. Ishie Lalongisip added seven, with Roselyn Aquino and Jackie Acuña chipping in six apiece as Cignal outgunned its rival, 48-39, in attacks.

Dawn Catindig’s steady floor work further tilted the match, repeatedly turning digs into transition opportunities. The Super Spikers also exploited PLDT’s reception lapses, firing six service aces that helped maintain control.

PLDT showed resistance in the third set after falling behind early. The High Speed Hitters trimmed a six-point deficit behind a burst of attacks that briefly threatened to extend the match.

Cignal, however, steadied behind Santos, who delivered three crucial off-the-block kills in a tense exchange with Kim Dy. Gandler later punctuated the surge with a clean hit that restored breathing room at 23-20.

The High Speed Hitters refused to fold, with Savi Davison and Alleiah Malaluan combining to close the gap late. But momentum slipped when Davison committed a service error, allowing Cignal to regroup for the finishing sequence.

Moments later, Cayuna caught the defense flat-footed with a perfectly timed 1-2 play that sealed the straight-sets triumph. A brief PLDT challenge for a net fault was denied on review, confirming the Super Spikers’ command performance.

Savi Davison led PLDT with 14 points, while Dy added 11. Malaluan and Mika Reyes finished with eight and seven markers, respectively, as the High Speed Hitters dropped to 3-1.

With contenders now tightly packed and no team threatening a sweep of the preliminaries, the PVL All-Filipino Conference semifinal race has evolved into a weekly grind. If Cignal continues to dictate matchups the way it did Tuesday, the balance near the top may keep shifting in the weeks ahead.

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