CIGNAL passed a gutsy Capital1 test, 25-21, 25-22, 25-16, to complete a two-game sweep of the Vigan leg of the 2025 PVL on Tour on Monday at the Chavit Coliseum in Ilocos Sur.
Gel Cayuna orchestrated the winning performance with 27 excellent sets in just three sets along with five points.
READ: Coach Shaq reaffirms commitment to Cignal in wake of UST return
"Sa dugout pa lang, pinag-uusapan na namin na dapat masaya lang kaming naglalaro since may mga adjustments at may mga bagong [players] kami. Nag-contribute naman lahat kaya happy ako para sa mga teammates ko," Cayuna said.
Erika Santos topscored again for the HD Spikers, making it two-for-two for the former PLDT ace, with 11 points on eight attacks and three blocks.
Former best middle blocker Rose Doria-Aquino also added 10 markers.
In a stark contrast to its opening-day loss to Creamline, Capital1 led for the most part in the first two sets with a reinvigorated offense manned by mainstays Trisha Genesis, Rovie Instrella and captain Jorelle Singh.
Both sets would hit the 19-all mark which saw the Solar Spikers yield their lead twice to the HD Spikers.
In the end, Cignal kept its cool on a rainy Monday afternoon up north by scoring six of the last seven points in Set 1 and completing a 6-2 set-clinching blitz come the second frame.
HD Spikers pull away
A come-from-behind effort would no longer be needed in the third set as Cignal pulled away early with a 7-1 start.
The lead ballooned to as many as nine, giving Cignal head coach Shaq delos Santos the luxury of fielding rookies Erin Pangilinan and Jessa Ordiales in the last set.
Santos and fellow newcomer Heather Guino-o had the HD Spikers’ offense on lock along with sophomore winger Ishie Lalongisip to end their Vigan trip unscathed without dropping a single set.
An eight-day break awaits Cignal before taking on Creamline back in Metro Manila on July 1, 6:30 p.m. at the Playtime FilOil Centre.
Meanwhile, Instrella paced the Solar Spikers' second straight loss with 11 points. Trisha Genesis had nine and rookie middle blocker Pia Abbu impressed in only her second PVL match with eight markers.
Capital1 had deputy coach Jerome Guhit call the shots against Cignal, with head coach Jorge Souza de Brito set to rejoin Vietnam-bound Alas Pilipinas for the 2025 VTV Cup later this week.
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