HD Spikers and Cool Smashers Rule PVL On Tour

Games on Saturday (Batangas City):
4 p.m. – Galeries Tower vs. Choco Mucho
6:30 p.m. – Nxled vs. Petro Gazz

VIGAN, Ilocos Sur – Cignal flexed its depth and resilience to shut down the Solar Spikers in straight sets, 25‑21, 25‑22, 25‑16, to seize the early solo lead in Pool B of the PVL On Tour Monday at the renovated Chavit Coliseum.

After surviving fierce endgame resistance in the first two sets, the HD Spikers turned the heat up in Set 3, surging to a 6‑1 lead and never looking back.

The result mirrored their opening-day sweep of the Akari Chargers and signaled a strong rebound from their All-Filipino Conference disappointment.

At the center of Cignal’s performance was veteran setter Gel Cayuna, who tallied a match-high 27 excellent sets and contributed five points, keeping every attacker involved.

“Sa dugout pa lang, pinag-uusapan na namin na dapat masaya kaming lahat na lalaro,” Cayuna said. “Masaya ako na nakakapag-adjust kami kahit maraming bago. Lahat nag-contribute kaya I’m really happy for my teammates and our coaches.”

Jessa Ordiales debuted in the league, scoring three points, including back‑to‑back hits that extended Cignal’s Set 3 lead to 18‑11 and capped with a block on Trisha Genesis.

Erika Santos led the scoring with 11 points, while Roselyn Doria‑Aquino scored 10, Ishie Lalongisip and Jackie Acuña had eight apiece, and Heather Guino-o contributed seven in a balanced attack.

Capital1’s Rovena Instrella topped her side with 11 points, and Trisha Genesis and rookie Pia Abbu scored nine and eight, respectively, as the Solar Spikers fell to 0‑2.

Cignal dominated at the net with 44 attack points—14 more than Capital1—and outblocked them 9‑4 with four service aces, despite committing 22 unforced errors while forcing 18 from their opponents.

With a reinforced roster featuring veterans and rookies like Pearl Ann Denura and Erin Pangilinan, the HD Spikers look balanced and ready for a deep run even without Vanie Gandler and Dawn Catindig, currently with the national team.

Coach Shaq delos Santos rotated his lineup in Set 2, and Heather Guino-o, Pangilinan, and Denura combined with Cayuna and Lalongisip to preserve the 2‑0 lead.

Cignal’s composure showed when they turned a 19‑all tie into a 6‑2 run in Set 1 and again in Set 2 with Guino-o and Lalongisip delivering back‑to‑back hits for a key 3‑0 spurt.

While Capital1 threatened late in Set 2, untimely errors from Genesis and strong plays from Santos, Cayuna, and Guino-o sealed the frame.

Cayuna noted the team remains a work in progress “We’re looking forward sa mga susunod pa naming adjustments for the next games.”

The PVL On Tour picks up in Batangas City this weekend with Choco Mucho vs. Galeries Tower at 4 p.m. and Petro Gazz vs. Nxled at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, followed by two Sunday games.

Cool Smashers fend off Chargers

Creamline absorbed early resistance from Akari before prevailing 27‑25, 22‑25, 25‑19, 25‑18 to join Cignal atop Pool B at Monday night’s PVL On Tour at Chavit Coliseum.

Michele Gumabao posted a match-high 18 points, reinforcing her Best Player of the Game credentials, while Alyssa Valdez scored 16 and rookie Jema Galanza added 12 in a balanced offense.

Valdez, who also earned Best Player honors, praised Vigan fans for their passion and said Creamline remains eager to grow.

Coach Sherwin Meneses added in Filipino that they “still have a lot to improve on to sustain our strong performance moving forward.”

Rookie Sheena Toring delivered 10 points, stepping up in the absence of Bea de Leon alongside key support from Kyle Negrito.

Despite trailing in Sets 1 and 2 and facing late rallies, Creamline’s composure and depth proved decisive as Galanza and Negrito powered decisive runs to seal victories in Sets 3 and 4.

Akari’s Grethcel Soltones scored 18 points, with Ced Domingo and Eli Soyud adding 12 and 11, but the Chargers still dropped to 0‑2.