THE hottest team in the league continued to make noise as Cignal rolled past Farm Fresh, 25-17, 26-24, 19-25, 30-28, in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
It took five match points for Cignal to close out the match and fend off Farm Fresh’s five-set threat before Tin Tiamzon ruled a joust at the net to score the 30th and match-winning point.
Vanie Gandler churned out a triple-double of 25 points, 15 receptions and 14 digs as the Super Spikers extended their unbeaten start to three games, dropping just two sets along the way, while leaving the Foxies searching for answers amid a major roster overhaul.
The loss meant Farm Fresh remains winless in the Koji Tsuzurabara era, now falling short for the second straight outing under the reigning All-Filipino champion coach.
Super Spikers roll
“Nandu’n ‘yung respect namin sa kalaban kasi ginagalang naman namin sila at puro beterano ring players. Good thing siguro na nag-improve kami sa aspect na kung paano namin iha-handle ‘yung ganung situations sa crucial moments,” said Cignal head coach Shaq delos Santos.
A rousing opening salvo had the Super Spikers racing to an 11-point cushion in the first set, cruising to an early advantage before being made to grind by a resurgent Farm Fresh side thereafter.
The Foxies quickly found their footing in the second set, building an 18-13 lead that momentarily swung momentum their way.
But Cignal held fort with Gandler forcing two set points before Gel Cayuna capped the comeback with a crafty one-two play to go up two sets to none.
Farm Fresh refused to fold in the third, leaning on the firepower of Trisha Tubu and Ces Molina to construct a series of six-point cushions and extend the match.
That resistance carried over into a tightly-contested fourth set that saw the Foxies even reach set point twice, threatening to drag the Super Spikers into a decider.
In the end, however, experience prevailed.
A lane violation by Riri Meneses at 28-all opened the door, and Cignal wasted no time as Tin Tiamzon delivered the finishing blow to keep the Super Spikers unbeaten.
Cayuna orchestrated the offense with 19 excellent sets while also chipping in seven points of her own.
Erika Santos also led the scoring charge with 15 markers, and Dawn Catindig anchored the floor defense with 17 digs in another composed all-around effort.
Not a fresh start
Farm Fresh showed signs of cohesion and balance, but the breakthrough win continues to elude the retooled Foxies.
Tubu paced the attack with 19 points, Molina flirted with a triple-double on 18 points, 13 receptions, and eight digs, while Royse Tubino provided a spark off the bench with 14 markers.
Still, those numbers weren’t enough to overturn a Cignal side that continues to show why it’s the early pace-setter in the conference.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
