CIGNAL’s fifth PVL podium in the span of a year is only a win away after rallying past Chery Tiggo, 25-19, 21-25, 25-15, 25-20, in the 2023 PVL All-Filipino Conference bronze medal series opener at the Mall of Asia Arena on Thursday.
Vanie Gandler paved the way for the HD Spikers’ twist of fate from their three-game semis loss to Choco Mucho with 21 points on 20 attacks and one block.
Should Cignal beat Chery Tiggo again come Game Two, Gandler & Co. will be on track to extend its record as the club with the most third-place finishes (five).
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“I’m very happy, of course, with how the team performed given that we didn’t have much time to rest. We’re very tired but today was really more about a test of character and heart. We all just poured our hearts and hopefully the same happens on Saturday,” Gandler said.
“Sobrang blessed siyempre kahit na nag-struggle kami nu’ng last game namin (sa semis versus Choco Mucho). Today, nakabawi kami and importante para sa’min ‘to,” Cignal head coach Shaq delos Santos added.
The HD Spikers' triple threat came in full force coming off their semis heartbreak from 1-0 up, with Jovelyn Gonzaga (15 points) and reigning MVP Ces Molina (13 points) leading the offense to draw first blood in the battle for third.
On the flip side, Pauline Gaston led the Crossovers' second-set resurgence with 14 markers.
But even with a much improved offense than their crestfallen Final Four run through Eya Laure and Mylene Paat's 13-piece outings, such strong efforts fell flat for the fifth straight game since losing to Creamline in their penultimate prelims match.
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