Cignal reaches PVL Finals, eliminates PLDT

PASAY CITY — Cignal became the first finalist of the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference after defeating Creamline in four sets, 25-13, 13-25, 25-16, 25-16, in the round-robin semifinals on Tuesday at Mall of Asia Arena.

The victory assured the Super Spikers of at least a Top 2 finish in the semifinals and sent the Cool Smashers, now at 1-1, into a virtual showdown with Farm Fresh, also at 1-1, for the last berth in the Finals.

The result also knocked PLDT out of title contention, as the High Speed Hitters fell to 0-2 with no remaining path to the championship round.

Cignal and Creamline traded lopsided set wins early, with the Super Spikers taking the first and third sets while the Cool Smashers claimed the second.

Cignal then seized control in the fourth set, pulling away for a 25-16 finish to complete the statement win over the 10-time champions.

“We really just did our best to stay composed even when they got one set from us. And then we just kept telling each other, ‘one point at a time, one point at a time’ ’cause based on experience, we know how Creamline can really come back at anytime even if the score is super far,” said star spiker Vanie Gandler.

Gandler carried much of Cignal’s offense with 24 points built on 22 attacks and two blocks, while also adding 10 excellent receptions.

Erika Santos backed her with 14 points for the Super Spikers.

Tin Tiamzon added 13 markers in the win.

Rose Doria-Aquino chipped in 10 points.

Setter Gel Cayuna orchestrated the attack with 29 excellent sets, helping Cignal produce 60 attack points compared with Creamline’s 40.

The win sent Cignal back to the title stage for the first time since the 2024 Invitational and marked the club’s first Finals appearance in the All-Filipino Conference.

Creamline, meanwhile, will try to keep its title hopes alive when it faces Farm Fresh on Thursday.

Bernadeth Pons led the Cool Smashers with 17 points in the loss.

Jema Galanza added 10 markers for Creamline.

After the match, Gandler said the Finals return carried deep meaning for a team that had endured heartbreak in recent tournaments.

“It’s hard for us to answer kasi parang we can’t explain how deep this is for us. Kasi we know how hard we worked for this,” said Gandler.

She also credited her teammates for shaping her growth and helping fuel the team’s breakthrough run.

“I just have so much gratefulness for the team kasi the player I am today is because of them. And then the way the team is performing is because we just want the best for each other. It’s really not for ourselves, it’s for each other,” she added.

“I can’t explain how meaningful it is for me to reach the Finals again.”