Cignal left no room for doubt about its championship aspirations after dismantling Akari in straight sets, 25-17, 25-15, 25-21, in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig on Tuesday.
The HD Spikers displayed their depth, firepower and defensive tenacity, overpowering the Chargers in just one hour and 26 minutes to secure the No. 3 seed in the knockout phase. This victory not only extended their winning streak to three but also reaffirmed their status as one of the league’s most dangerous teams heading into the next round.
Regardless of the outcomes of the remaining matches involving PLDT and Choco Mucho, both holding 7-3 records, Cignal has secured the No. 3 seed due to its superior match points.
“We’re extremely happy because this was our target from the start – to hopefully claim the No. 3 spot,” said Cignal head coach Shaq Delos Santos in Filipino.
With an 8-3 record and 25 points, Cignal is set to face the No. 10 seed – either Galeries Tower, Nxled or Capital1, all with1-9 records – in the knockout round, where a win would propel them into the best-of-three quarterfinals. Given their current form, the HD Spikers are primed for a deep playoff run—perhaps even all the way to the championship.
Akari, meanwhile, closes the prelims with a 5-6 slate and must await the outcome of Chery Tiggo’s final match against Choco Mucho in Iloilo on Saturday to determine their final ranking.
From the opening serve, Cignal dictated the pace with its aggressive net play and superior ball distribution. Spearheading the charge, Vanie Gandler unleashed 15 points, including 14 deadly attacks that kept Akari’s defenders scrambling.
But it was Roselyn Doria-Aquino who shone, delivering 12 crucial points, including three kill blocks, that earned her Best Player of the Game honors.
The HD Spikers’ offensive arsenal proved too deep for Akari to handle. Rookie sensation Ishie Lalongisip continued her stellar play, chipping in 10 points, while Jacqueline Acuña provided eight markers to complete a well-balanced assault. Cignal’s cohesion and offensive efficiency were on full display, as they racked up 47 attack points – 17 more than their struggling counterparts.
On the defensive end, Cignal’s blockers turned the net into an impenetrable wall. Their six blocks doubled Akari’s total, frustrating the Chargers' main scorers and limiting them to inefficient attacking angles.
With Cignal ahead at 22-15 in the third, Akari banked on Camille Victoria, who led the Chargers’ fightback with four straight points. But Gandler, Acuña and Jovelyn Fernandez combined to finish off the Chargers.
Four-time league best setter Gel Cayuna steered Cignal’s offense, tossing 19 excellent sets while adding five points.
What makes this victory even more impressive is how Cignal has successfully adapted after losing two key players earlier in the season. Instead of faltering, the team has rediscovered its identity and reasserted itself as a legitimate title contender. Their chemistry has solidified, and their depth has become a weapon rather than a weakness.
“Our biggest advantage is the unwavering commitment of our players. Even though we only have a 12-member roster, we’ve been able to maximize each player’s skills to the fullest,” said delos Santos.
While Faith Nisperos fought hard for her 12 points, the rest of the Chargers’ offensive unit never found its rhythm. Ivy Lacsina was held to a mere five points, while Fifi Sharma, Eli Soyud, and the returning Ced Domingo each managed only four.
Akari’s inability to generate sustained attacks or match Cignal’s defensive intensity ultimately sealed their fate.
