Cignal turned an early stumble into a commanding performance, overpowering Farm Fresh, 23-25, 25-14, 25-11, 25-12, on Saturday, April 11, at the MOA Arena to open its PVL All-Filipino Conference semifinals campaign. What began as a tight contest quickly shifted into a one-sided display of control as the Super Spikers imposed their rhythm and discipline.

After narrowly losing the opening set, Cignal recalibrated with poise and precision, sharpening its offensive execution while tightening its defensive coverage. The adjustment exposed Farm Fresh’s lack of consistency, allowing the Super Spikers to dictate the pace and limit extended rallies.

The turnaround highlighted the contrast between a composed, system-driven team and one that struggled to sustain execution under pressure. From that point on, Cignal’s chemistry and structure became the defining factors in the match.

Cignal takes control with system and discipline

Cignal responded to adversity by leaning on its established system, executing fluid ball movement and well-timed attacks across rotations. The Super Spikers played with purpose, minimizing errors while maximizing scoring opportunities through disciplined setups.

Erika Santos led the charge with 21 points, anchoring the offense in a performance that reflected the team’s preparation and focus following a two-week layoff. Her scoring burst set the tone for a balanced attack that kept Farm Fresh on the defensive throughout the match.

“We prepare thoroughly for every game since this is the semifinals – each match is a must-win. All the preparation and studying of our opponents are truly taken to heart by everyone,” Santos said in Filipino.

From the second set onward, Cignal dictated tempo and capitalized on unforced errors, limiting the Foxies to just 14, 11, and 12 points in the final three frames. The Super Spikers’ ability to sustain pressure ensured that Farm Fresh never regained confidence or rhythm.

Farm Fresh unravels as errors pile up

Farm Fresh showed promise early after escaping with the first set, but its performance steadily declined as the match progressed. Execution faltered under sustained pressure, with miscues increasing and attack patterns becoming predictable.

The Foxies conceded 27 unforced errors, handing Cignal a significant scoring advantage that proved too difficult to overcome. In contrast, the Super Spikers maintained composure and limited their giveaways, further widening the gap between the two teams.

Trisha Tubu and Royse Tubino led Farm Fresh with 13 and 12 points, respectively, while Ces Molina added nine, but their efforts were not enough to counter Cignal’s balanced attack. The absence of consistent offensive rhythm ultimately prevented the Foxies from mounting any meaningful comeback.

Cignal, meanwhile, received strong support from Vanie Gandler and Tin Tiamzon, who contributed 18 and 11 points, respectively, while Roselyn Aquino and setter Gel Cayuna added seven and five points. Cayuna orchestrated the offense with 16 excellent sets, while Dawn Catindig anchored the defense with 24 excellent digs and 10 receptions.

The match further emphasized the impact of coaching adjustments, as Cignal head coach Shaq delos Santos effectively utilized his rotation to maintain intensity. On the other hand, Farm Fresh struggled to respond, unable to find solutions as the match slipped away.

With the win, Cignal gains an early edge in the single round-robin semifinals and heads into its next matchup against Creamline with confidence. Farm Fresh, now under pressure, will need to regroup quickly ahead of its crucial clash with PLDT to keep its finals hopes alive.