Cignal sent a strong message regarding its championship ambitions, pulling through in a tight second set duel then dominating the third to fashion out a commanding 25-18, 25-21, 25-16 victory over Choco Mucho in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at the Philsports Arena on Thursday night.
Venezuelan import MJ Perez delivered an exceptional performance, scoring 22 points and helping provide crucial hits that spurred the HD Spikers' late surge in the fiercely contested second set for the victory that allowed Cignal to join Akari and Petro Gazz at the top of Pool B.
Perez's leadership and decisive play were instrumental, especially when the Flying Titans rallied to tie the HD Spikers at 21 in the second frame. However, Perez's clutch plays, supported by a fired-up team, secured Cignal's decisive counter-attack.
“KItang-kita naman sa mukha namin kung gaano kami ka-happy. I think lumabas lang talaga lahat ng effort na ginawa namin sa training, yung hard work talaga,” said Cignal head coach Shaq Delos Santos after their one-hour and 44-minute romp.
Perez came through with 19 spikes and two aces and flashed her defensive skills with eight excellent receptions.
“I’m so proud of the team kasi talagang they went all-out and raised the level of our game,” added delos Santos.
Dindin Manabat helped carry the fight for the Flying Titans, unloading three straight points to force a tie at 21 in the second frame. But Perez, Chin Basas and Rose Doria scored four straight points to put Cignal at 2-0.
With Perez sustaining her attack, the HD Spikers re-asserted their might the third, leading by as many as 10 points, 20-10, before cruising to victory.
Judith Abil, who joined the league’s combine for free agents last month, emerged as the standout performer, transitioning from a power spiker to a libero with remarkable ease. She delivered an impressive performance with 15 excellent digs and eight receptions, earning the game’s top honors and playing a crucial role in Cignal's victory.
Basas and Molina added eight points apiece while Cayuna tossed 15 excellent sets and scored seven points for Cignal.
Despite the absence of high-flying, energetic Sisi Rondina and Cherry Nunag, and the contribution of Greek import Zoi Faki and Manabat, the Flying Titans could not counter the explosiveness of Perez and the strong support from Cignal's local players.
Cignal also played without top spiker Vanie Gandler and Dawn Catindig, yet they managed to deliver a cohesive and dominant performance.
Faki finished with 13 points, 10 receptions and eight digs, while Manabat added eight points.
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