Cignal fends off ZUS Coffee to continue undefeated PVL campaign

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Cignal HD Spikers survived the resilient performance from ZUS Coffee, 25-18, 29-27, 21-25, 25-22, to maintain its untainted record in the ongoing Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference.

Despite taking a commanding 2-0 lead over the young ZUS Coffee squad, the HD Spikers failed to secure the sweeping win after the latter showed some signs of life to steal the third set.

After a series of unforced errors from the HD Spikers, ZUS Coffee capitalized on the window of opportunity and relied on their import Asaka Tamaru to deliver the crucial hits.

Although Cignal replicated its performance in the first set where they quickly pounced on ZUS Coffee to start the fourth frame, the younger team adjusted mid-game and clawed their way back in the final crucial stretch of the match.

Eager to halt ZUS Coffee’s momentum, Cignal’s reinforcement, MJ Perez, waxed hot when her team needed her the most and sparked a counter offensive run that put the HD Spikers at set point.

Needing just two points to secure the victory, Perez put the team on her back and provided the last two markers that wrapped up their intense matchup against ZUS Coffee.

Perez was unstoppable during the game as the Venezuelan import carried the scoring load for the HD Spikers and erupted for 30 points built from 26 successful attacks.

Aside from her offensive brilliance, the scoring machine also tallied 10 excellent receptions, three service aces, and a block.

“Thirty points siya, grabe. Well, ‘yun talaga din ‘yung main reason kung bakit namin siya kinuha. Alam namin ‘yung kaya niyang gawin and I’m sure hindi siya satisfied sa laro niya, pero naka-thirty points pa rin siya,” said Cignal head coach Shaq delos Santos.

Gel Cayuna, Cignal’s seasoned playmaker, orchestrated her team’s attack and dished out 21 excellent sets to go alongside three markers.

Judith Abil also picked up where she left off as the newly-converted libero anchored the team’s floor defense with 10 excellent receptions and 10 excellent digs.

The HD Spikers will attempt to hike their record to 3-0 on July 27, 2024, as they take on the rolling Capital1 Solar Spikers in the first scheduled game of a triple-header.