HD Spikers Show Early Chemistry in PVL On Tour Opener

Games today (Monday)

(Chavit Coliseum, Vigan City)

4 p.m. – Cignal vs Capital1

6:30 p.m. – Creamline vs Akari

 

VIGAN, Ilocos Sur – Cignal opened the PVL (Premier Volleyball League) On Tour with an emphatic win, sweeping Akari 25-23, 25-14, 25-23 at the Chavit Coliseum on Sunday.

The HD Spikers showcased early chemistry, blending new recruits with holdovers to execute sharp plays and fluid ball movement against an Akari squad still searching for rhythm.

Newcomers Tin Tiamzon and Erika Santos filled the void left by former key players, helping Cignal regain its form following a rough All-Filipino Conference campaign.

Their seamless connection with veterans, guided by four-time Best Setter Gel Cayuna, was evident from the opening whistle.

“We really prepared for this,” said Santos in Pilipino, who led all scorers with 14 points in her Cignal debut.

Cignal coach Shaq delos Santos credited the team’s preparation and praised Santos for her strong performance in their one-hour, 33-minute win.

“Erika is new to the team, but her play made us really happy,” he said.

“She still has so much more to offer.”

Tiamzon added 11 points, while Ishie Lalongisip, Roselyn Doria-Aquino, Jackie Acuña and Cayuna chipped in nine, eight, seven and five markers, respectively.

Akari struggled to find its footing, particularly in the second set, where it fell from an 8-7 lead to a 23-11 deficit.

The Chargers’ lapses in serve receive and transition allowed Cignal to pull away with 17 attacks and capitalize on seven Akari errors.

Grethcel Soltones tried to ignite a rally late in the set, but rookie Erin Pangilinan sealed the frame with a through-the-block hit to give Cignal a 2-0 lead.

Overall, Cignal outgunned Akari 50-36, though the Chargers held a slim 6-2 edge in blocks.

Cignal also benefited from 20 unforced errors by Akari, while conceding just 16.

Soyud led Akari with 12 points, followed by Soltones with 11 and Ivy Lacsina with nine.

Middle blocker Ced Domingo added five points, while rookies Chenie Tagaod and Kamille Cal scored three each.

Akari showed promise early, jumping to a 13-9 lead in the first set, but Cignal’s defense adjusted to take a 16-15 advantage after a Cal error.

Santos capped the frame with a strong kill, energizing the packed crowd.

The third set remained close until Cignal pulled ahead 23-19, thanks to a crafty push from Santos and a series of Akari miscues.

Akari saved two match points, but a Soyud error on an overpass sealed the win for Cignal.

Santos, looking ahead to their next match, said the focus remains on growth.

“Same goal—I just want to keep growing with this new team,” she said.

“Facing Creamline, it’s back to the drawing board. We’ll study their game and keep improving.”

Cignal returns to action today (Monday) at 4 p.m. against Capital1 at Chavit Coliseum.

Creamline, still playing against Capital1 at press time, will take on Akari at 6:30 p.m.

The Vigan leg, launched by Gov. Jerry Singson, features four Pool B squads in the PVL’s two-month-long preseason tournament organized by Sports Vision.

The tour moves to Batangas City next weekend, where Pool A teams take center stage at the Batangas City Sports Center.