MYLENE Paat shone bright as Cignal became the first semifinalist in the Philippine Superliga Invitationals after a 25-22, 25-19, 25-20 victory over PLDT on Thursday at the Malolos Sports and Convention Center in Malolos, Bulacan.
Inspired by her inclusion in the final cut of the women’s national team for the 30th Southeast Asian Games, Paat sent the HD Spikers to their fifth straight victory in as many as games for the first semis berth in Pool C.
Paat unloaded 18 points built on 14 kills, three blocks and an ace laced with eight digs as Cignal is just a win shy of sweeping the group stage.
“Dapat hindi kami magrelax knowing na naka(lima) na panalo na kami,” the former Adamson star said. “So yun yung dapat namin matutunan, wag kaming magrerelax and be consistent everytime.”
Rachel Anne Daquis and Jannine Navarro delivered 13 points apiece. Playmaker Alohi Robins-Hardy dished out 19 excellent sets on top of five markers, while libero Jheck Dionela had 13 digs and six excellent receptions.
Cignal eyes an elimination round sweep against Petron on Saturday at the Caloocan Sports Complex.
Jerrili Malabanan lifted the Power Hitters with 15 points, while Shola Alvarez had 12 markers, 10 digs and nine excellent receptions as they missed head coch Roger Gorayeb, who is still at the hospital, with assistant Clint Malazo calling the shots for the second straight game.
PLDT, however, fell on the brink of elimination, dropping with 1-3 card in Pool C.
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