The HD Spikers are on a roll as of late.
The Cignal HD Spikers continued their push for a semifinal spot after handing the Petro Gazz Angels’ third consecutive loss in the PVL Second All-Filipino Conference in a tight four-set win, 25-15, 25-23, 18-25, 25-19, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
After a strong start to the game, the HD Spikers let up their guard a bit in the third set as the Angels were able to extend the game to a fourth set.
But Gel Cayuna, who finished with nine points on four attacks, two blocks, and three aces, as well as 14 excellent sets, made sure that Cignal would be able to close the game out and grab their fifth win in the conference.
Vanie Gandler and reigning MVP Ces Molina likewise added 23 and 17 points, respectively, in the HD Spikers’ victory.
“'Yung pinaka-naging mindset talaga namin 'yung sabi namin sa bawat isa na tiyatiyagain namin ang Petro Gazz kasi knowing Petro Gazz lahat atake,” Cayuna said during the postgame interview. “‘Yung receive nila, yung depensa nila matibay kaya double effort talaga kami para ma-counter (sila).”
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Coach Shaq Delos Santos likewise was full of praise for the team’s effort in ensuring the victory over a team like the Angels.
“In-expect namin talaga na magpapahirapan talaga itong game na ito,” Delos Santos said during the postgame press conference. “Knowing Petro Gazz, puro solid na senior players so talagang alam namin kung gaano (kagaling) sila mag-handle ng pressure, mag-handle ng ganyang klase na game, so good thing nag-deliver talaga 'yung team.”
With the win, the HD Spikers moved up in the standings to fifth with a 5-2 record. The Angels, meanwhile, dropped to seventh place with a 4-3 record.
Cignal will look to continue its hot streak against the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers on Thursday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan, while Petro Gazz will look to bounce back against the Choco Mucho Flying Titans later that day as well.
(MDB)