PVL: Cignal reconnects after sweeping ZUS Coffee

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Cignal Super Spikers returned to the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) winning column after dominating the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles, 25-18, 25-23, 25-22, in the ongoing All-Filipino Conference on March 5, 2026, at the Playtime FilOil Centre.

Fresh off a heartbreaking five-set loss at the hands of the Akari Chargers, the Super Spikers redeemed themselves in style, scoring their third 3-0 win through their first seven PVL games.

Vanie Gandler once again led Cignal in scoring, delivering 20 points on 16 successful attacks to go alongside 13 excellent receptions and seven excellent digs.

However, much of the postgame buzz focused less on Gandler’s scoring clinic and more on Gel Cayuna’s clutch outing when the Thunderbelles threatened to level the match at 1-all.

Cayuna, the Super Spikers’ veteran setter, shouldered Cignal’s last two points and broke the thrilling 23-all deadlock.

With the momentum slowly slipping from their side after ZUS Coffee’s massive run to tie the game, Cayuna played spoiler by denying Cess Robles’ cross-court attempt, putting Cignal back in the driver’s seat, 24-23.

Despite serving as the team’s facilitator, Cayuna stunned the Thunderbelles with an off-speed spike from a wild scramble, which officially ended the back-and-forth and gave Cignal a morale-boosting 2-0 lead.

After the thrilling second-set triumph, the Super Spikers carried their momentum into the third and final set, outplaying ZUS Coffee on both ends of the court to seal the deal.

Backstopping Gandler during Cignal’s bounce-back win was middle blocker Rose Doria-Aquino, who chipped in 11 points built on nine successful attacks and two blocks.

Meanwhile, Erika Santos and Jackie Acuña added nine and eight markers, respectively, while Cayuna wrapped up the win with five crucial points, 15 excellent sets and nine excellent receptions.

The Super Spikers aim to sustain their momentum on March 14, 2026, against Bella Belen and the Capital1 Solar Spikers, while ZUS Coffee looks to end its skid on March 12, 2026, against the Nxled Chameleons.