They can finish this one off on Saturday.
Jovelyn Gonzaga knew she had to live up to expectations as one of the leaders of the Cignal HD Spikers. She did just that.
Down two sets in Game 1 of the PVL Second All-Filipino Conference semifinals against the Choc Mucho Flying Titans, the HD Spikers refused to just roll over and die.
Cignal went on to steal the opener, 18-25, 23-25, 25-14, 25-19, 15-10 on Thursday at the Philsports Arena.
And at the center of that comeback was Gonzaga. Though she was not piling up points, her leadership did more wonders.
“‘Yung veteran na word kailangan ko panindigan kasi kailangan ako ng team sa bawat laro. Kailangan ko mag-step up, no excuses. Kailangan ko tulungan si Ces (Molina),” she said.
Gonzaga finished with 16 points and 17 excellent digs. But it was Riri Meneses, Vanie Gandler, and Ces Molina who conspired in the fifth set to seal the win.
Asked how the team recovered from the slow start, the Bionic Ilongga kept it simple.
“Siguro ‘yung tiwala ng coaching staff na binigay namin at paano kami pumukpok sa training,” she said.
At the end of the interview, Gonzaga dedicated the win to Rachel Ann Daquis, who is still in the United States after getting an invite to a coaching camp.
“I miss you Rachel! Para sa’yo ‘to,” she said.
Game 2 is on Saturday, 4 p.m. at the same venue.
(CF)