It was a hard-fought win for the HD Spikers.
After an opening day victory, the Cignal HD Spikers, who have been missing their leader in Rachel Daquis, struggled to get their bearings going.
But even after disappointing back-to-back losses, Vanie Gandler said the HD Spikers remained unperturbed and even worked harder.
The result was a 25-18, 19-25, 25-21, 25-20 over Akari Chargers in the PVL Second All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday.
“It’s really just working more as a team. The loss of Ate Rachel was big for us, we’re struggling how to step up in the position,” she said when asked what changed for the team.
“We work together and not rely on one person to bring us up. Even with the coaches, we just had to talk more so that’s what we did tonight,” added Gandler, who has taken on a bigger role with Daquis' absence.
Coach Shaq delos Santos shared a similar sentiment.
“Nag-work hard lang sa training namin. Grabe talaga din ‘yung naging adjustment namin every training. Good thing naipanalo namin,” he said after the match at the Filoil EcoOil Arena in San Juan.
Now with an even 2-2 win-loss record, the HD Spikers are looking to build on this hard-earned win and make it to the upper bracket of the standings.
“Hopefully sa mga susunod na games namin mas maging okay pa [performance],” Delos Santos said.
The HD Spikers will know soon enough as they will jump right back to action on Saturday, November 4, against the Farm Fresh Foxies, who just earned some high praise from the Creamline Cool Smashers.
The Chargers, meanwhile, will get plenty of time to regroup as their next game will be on November 11 versus the Choco Mucho Flying Titans.
(With reports from Jamie Velasco, One Sports Digital)
(MDB)