CIGNAL dealt a stunning blow to PLDT's semis bid in four sets, 24-26, 26-24, 25-17, 28-26, in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference on Saturday at the City of Santa Rosa Multi-Purpose Complex.
Jovelyn Gonzaga led the now-eliminated HD Spikers to victory with 16 points built on 11 attacks, three blocks, and two aces.
READ: PVL top spot back to a 4-way tie as Chery topples Akari
Now at 7-3 (win-loss) in fifth place, PLDT will need a straight-sets win over defending champion Creamline, while hoping for semis-seeking Chery Tiggo to lose its prelims finale versus Galeries Tower, to make it to the semifinals.
"Ayaw naming matapos ang conference na 'to na somehow, 'di namin nababalik 'yung pride namin and 'yung identity namin. Ako personally, parang kailangan kong ibalik 'yung identity ko bilang player and gusto naming ibalik 'yung effort ng coaching staff and tiwala ng management," Gonzaga said.
"Grabe, kahit ito na 'yung na-experience ng team, grabe ang suporta't paniniwala pa rin ng management sa amin and ng coaching staff. Hindi kami iniwan, hindi kami sinusukuan. So ito na lang 'yung balik talaga namin sa kanila."
Even as Cignal's own semifinals bid ended prior to facing PLDT, the HD Spikers refused to let their guard down and were able to power past their sibling rivals through the one-two scoring punch of Ces Molina (15 points) and Vanie Gandler (12 points).
Despite being out-attacked by Savi Davison (game-high 29 points and 18 receptions) & Co. with 61 hits fired in just three sets, Cignal more than made up for such a deficit through 14 blocks and eight aces to repel the High Speed Hitters' scoring barrage.
Reigning best setter Gel Cayuna also set Cignal up for victory with 19 excellent sets to her name as Dawn Macandili-Catindig manned the floor with all her might as she posted 19 digs and 16 receptions.
Result aside, their respective counterparts put up a gallant stand on the opposite end with Kim Fajardo also converting 19 excellent sets and Kath Arado dishing out 22 digs and 16 receptions.
Cignal will drop the curtains on the elimination round when it takes on also-ran Capital1 as PLDT looks to save its fading semis bid versus Creamline.
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