In a tense five-set battle on Thursday evening, Cignal HD needed every bit of Gel Cayuna's brilliance to fend off the determined challenge of the winless Galeries Tower.
Cayuna orchestrated the HD Spikers' offense with precision, dishing out 31 excellent sets and adding nine points of her own, including four aces, to lead her team to a hard-fought 23-25, 25-22, 26-28, 25-14, 15-11 victory.
With the win, Cignal improved to a 6-1 record in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference, securing their spot in the quarterfinals. Despite their success, the match proved to be a true test of the HD Spikers' resilience as they had to dig deep to outlast the Highrisers, who pushed them to their limits in nearly every set.
"Masaya po pero sobrang challenging talaga ‘yung game namin kanina. Talagang tinest ‘yung pasensya namin kung gaano kahaba kasi alam naman natin na Galeries talaga, matibay sa atake at defense," said Cayuna, reflecting on the difficulty of the match.
"'Yun yung naging challenge namin na talagang kinapitan namin kung paano namin sila matatapatan at kung paano maipapanalo ‘yung game," she added, emphasizing how their patience and persistence helped them prevail.
Cignal also relied heavily on the firepower of Venezuelan import MJ Perez, who delivered a conference-best 34 points. Perez’s offensive output was crucial in securing the win, as was the continued connection with her setter, Cayuna.
Ces Molina added 19 points, while Riri Meneses and Jackie Acuña contributed 10 and eight points, respectively, showcasing the HD Spikers' well-rounded attack.
For Cayuna, her partnership with Perez is only growing stronger as the tournament progresses. The three-time PVL Best Setter believes that their synergy will reach its peak at just the right time—when the HD Spikers need it most in the knockout rounds.
"Patagal nang patagal, talagang nakukuha na namin ‘yung gusto niyang set and yun nga, talagang lagi naming inaaral ‘yung mga combination plays kasi hindi naman pwedeng puro basic lang," Cayuna shared.
"Yun, so far okay na and looking forward pa ako sa mga matututunan ko and mga advice ni Amiga," she added, referring to Perez's valuable input as they fine-tune their plays.
While Cignal is already through to the quarterfinals, Cayuna knows that the team can’t afford to rest on their laurels just yet. The HD Spikers will aim to finish the preliminary round on a high note when they take on the struggling Nxled, which is currently on a six-game losing streak. A victory would not only extend Cignal’s winning run but also give them momentum heading into the knockout stage, where they’ll continue their pursuit of their first-ever PVL title.
Cayuna’s leadership and ability to maintain her composure under pressure will undoubtedly be key as Cignal navigates the challenges that lie ahead. For now, the HD Spikers can celebrate their hard-earned win, but the real test is still to come.
