Cignal secures semis spot despite Tushova’s 50-point explosion

Cignal HD Spikers clinched the first semifinal berth in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference after a nail-biting five-set victory over the Solar Spikers at the FilOil EcoOil Centre on Saturday.

The match, marked by Marina Tushova’s record-breaking 50-point performance, saw Cignal outlasting the Solar Spikers 25-19, 36-34, 16-25, 22-25, 15-12.

Cignal’s victory was anchored by their defense in the decisive moments, particularly the blocking prowess of Riri Meneses and Jackie Acuña. Meneses, who contributed 21 points and seven blocks, denied Tushova at a crucial juncture in the fifth set, extending Cignal’s lead to 13-10. Acuña, stepping up in the final moments, delivered a match-winning block on Tushova to seal the game after two hours and 35 minutes of intense play.

“It’s all about preparation. We fell short in the third and fourth sets, but we knew we couldn’t waste all our hard work,” said Meneses, who earned best player honors. “Every day, our coaches remind us not to waste our efforts. We gave everything in this game because it was either advance or go home, so we left it all on the court.”

MJ Perez led Cignal with 34 points and 15 excellent receptions, while Ces Molina added 16 points. The HD Spikers’ balanced attack and composure in crucial moments were key to their victory.

The Solar Spikers, despite the loss, showed resilience, coming back from a two-set deficit to force a fifth set. Jorelle Singh supported Tushova with 12 points, while Des Clemente and Iris Tolenada each contributed seven points.

With this victory, Cignal advances to the semifinals and secures a spot in the upcoming Invitational Conference. They now await the winner of the Creamline-Petro Gazz quarterfinal showdown in their quest to surpass their best-ever finish in the 2022 Reinforced Conference.

The Solar Spikers exit the tournament with heads held high, marking a significant achievement for the new team that had a rough start earlier in the season.