The HD Spikers finished first in Pool B.
The Cignal HD Spikers booked on Tuesday the final semifinals slot in Pool B after sweeping the Choco Mucho Flying Titans at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig, 25-15, 25-21, 25-21.
The HD Spikers concluded Pool B hostilities with a 4-1 record, securing top spot in the standings and earning a semis slot alongside the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers and Creamline Cool Smashers in Pool A.
Jovelyn Gonzaga led the way for Cignal with 13 points on 10 attacks and 3 blocks.
After the match, the Bionic Ilongga credited the team’s impressive win to their coaching staff.
“Sobra ‘yung pag-mindset sa 'min ng coaching staff,” said Gonzaga. “Ang sinasabi paulit-ulit nandyan na 'yung skills… so, ang ginawa namin, naglaro kami as a team, nag-stick kami sa tasks namin.”
“Thankful and credit sa coaching staff namin na nag-tiyaga sa 'min all throughout hanggat sa makarating kami sa semis,” she added.
Aside from Gonzaga, three other HD Spikers finished with double-digit scoring in Roselyn Doria, Rachel Anne Daquis, and Cess Molina.
Cignal is back in the semifinals after missing out on the playoffs back in the All-Filipino Conference, where they finished sixth.
Despite advancing to the next round, Gonzaga admitted there is still a lot to work on for the team. But what remains clear is the HD Spikers' mentality—win as a team, lose as a team.
“Marami pa kaming dapat i-improve, lalo na din 'yung consistency,” said Gonzaga. “Mag-stick lang kami kung anong nasa harap namin, pag-hirapan at pag-aralan ng buo at sama-sama.”
At kumbaga, matatalo kaming sama-sama, mananalo kaming sama-sama,” she added.
The HD Spikers will begin their semifinals campaign on Thursday against the winner of the match between the PLDT High Speed Hitters and the Chery Tiggo Crossovers in Pool A, also on Tuesday.
The Flying Titans, meanwhile, will face the loser between Chery Tiggo and PLDT for seventh in the tournament.
(MDB)