HD Spikers Overcome Roster Shakeup, Smother Highrisers

Games tomorrow (Thursday)
4 p.m. – Akari vs Nxled
6:30 p.m. – Choco Mucho vs PLDT

Cignal erased the stigma of a numbing straight-set defeat and showcased its depth and resilience, trouncing Galeries Tower, 25-17, 25-20, 25-19, to regain a share of the lead in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena on Tuesday.

Vanie Gandler, stepping into a leadership role following the departure of skipper Ces Molina and Riri Meneses after the holiday break, delivered a standout 17-point performance. Gandler’s relentless hitting set the tone for Cignal’s dominant win as the HD Spikers showed they remain a powerhouse even without two of their brightest stars.

The swift one-hour and 31-minute victory served as a redemption following their previous shutout loss to the Petro Gazz Angels last Dec. 14. That defeat, which ended a four-game winning streak, allowed the Angels to claim the solo lead before the break.

Gandler was well-supported on offense, with Rose Doria-Aquino, Jacqueline Acuña and Ishie Lalongisip each contributing nine points, while Judith Abil added seven.

However, the game’s top performer was defense specialist Dawn Catindig, who anchored the floor defense with 19 excellent digs, ensuring that Galeries Tower’s attacks were swiftly neutralized.

“We wanted to apply everything we’ve worked on in training,” said Catindig, who downplayed her stellar showing and credited the entire team for the victory. “I’m very proud of the team, everyone stepped up.”

Setter Gel Cayuna also shone, orchestrating Cignal’s offense with 15 excellent sets while scoring three points of her own. Cayuna’s precise playmaking kept Galeries Tower’s defense guessing and allowed every Cignal player to contribute, including Caroline Santos, who sealed the game with a quick hit in the final moments.
Cignal’s victory underscored its superiority in every facet of the game. The HD Spikers tallied 46 attack points – seven more than the Highrisers – while adding five service aces without conceding any to their opponents.

The HD Spikers’ floor defense, led by Catindig, was impenetrable, and their offensive depth proved too much for the Highrisers to handle.

Moreover, Cignal capitalized on their rivals’ errors, scoring 20 points off Galeries Tower’s turnovers while limiting their own to just 14. Even with Molina and Meneses leaving the team – reportedly to pursue opportunities abroad – the HD Spikers hardly missed a beat.

Coach Shaq Delos Santos maximized the opportunity to rotate fresh faces into the lineup, with Lalongisip taking full advantage of her starting role and Santos gaining valuable experience.

“We’re going to prepare hard for every game,” Catindig promised, assuring fans that the team remains focused despite the roster shakeup.

For Galeries Tower, the game exposed a significant gap in firepower and consistency. Ysa Jimenez and setter Julia Coronel led the Highrisers with eight points apiece, while Roselle Baliton and Jho Maraguinot added five each.

However, their efforts were not enough to keep pace with Cignal’s relentless offense and rock-solid defense.

After a dominant first set, Cignal surged to a commanding 16-4 lead in the second frame. Galeries Tower managed to rally with a nine-point run to close the gap to three, but the HD Spikers quickly regrouped and finished the set with a 9-7 burst.

The Highrisers showed some fight early in the third set, forcing several deadlocks, including at 13. However, a crucial attack error by Maraguinot shifted the momentum back to Cignal, who closed the match with an 11-6 run.