By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Cignal HD Spikers racked up their winning streak to three and remained perfect in the ongoing 2022 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Invitational Conference after sweeping the Chery Tiggo Crossovers, 25-23, 25-16, 25-18.
Ces Molina turned back the hands of time and spearheaded the HD Spikers’ overwhelming attack with 16 points built from 13 successful attacks, two aces, and one block.
The Philippine Women’s National Volleyball team staple got hot as early as the first set and became Chery Tiggo’s main problem as her blazing spikes helped Cignal get to a rousing start.
However, Chery Tiggo countered with their own offensive run and was poised to win the first set after taking a 21-16 opening set lead.
Cignal head coach Shaq Delos Santos then deployed his usual rotation and tapped the services of Ria Meneses and superstar Rachel Anne Daquis that helped them turn the tables and snowballed their way with a 9-2 scoring.
The momentum-clinching first set win then paved the way for Cignal’s masterful display of team chemistry in the second-third sets that prevented any sort of comeback from the Crossovers.
Former University of the Philippines (UP) superstar setter Ayel Estrañero became one of the biggest revelations for the HD Spikers after putting on a setting clinic in Gel Cayuna’s absence.
Estrañero fed the rolling Molina every time she found her spot in the left wing and was also active in involving Meneses and Daquis for several 1-2 quick hitter offensive sets.
“We encountered some struggles but it’s a good thing we recovered. We’re doing good and hopefully, we get better even more especially near the end,” said coach Delos Santos.
Cignal is currently the no.1 team in the conference with a 3-0 record and is only one win away from claiming a semifinals spot while the Crossovers fell to a disappointing 0-3 record.
