Marina Tushova may have won the scoring battle but it was Riri Meneses and the Cignal HD Spikers who barged into the PVL Reinforced Conference semifinals.
With their season on the line, Riri Meneses and the Cignal HD Spikers showed they were not ready to go home just yet.
Even against a scorching 50-point outing from Marina Tushova and a gritty Capital1 Solar Spikers side.
[Related: PVL playoffs: Cignal survives Marina Tushova's record 50 points in thrilling five-set duel]
“Kasi ang ganda ng standing namin syempre hindi rin naman kami papayag na sa knockout game na ito kami yung mana-knockout,” Meneses said, in the aftermath of Cignal’s five-set win to advance to the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference semifinals.
“So talagang binigay lang namin yung best namin,” she added, as the no. 2 HD Spikers are the first to move on.
In the victory, Meneses delivered her best performance yet in the import-laden conference, tallying 21 points built on 13 attacks, seven blocks and an ace.
The 28-year-old middle blocker came up big as Cignal’s top local, providing an additional offensive boost to import MJ Perez`s team-high 34 points.
Cignal survived a historic night by Tushova, who became the first player to score 50 points in a PVL game. Even as an opponent, Meneses was in awe of the Russian import’s scoring masterclass.
“Kahit na anong gawin naman namin import siya eh, tsaka talagang magaling talaga si Marina,” Riri said.
Still, the three-time PVL Best Middle Blocker credited the team's preparation on Tushova as a key for them to win even amidst Marina’s best game yet.
[Related: 'Win this championship' | Capital1 super import Marina Tushova pays ultimate respect to Cignal after five-set thriller in PVL quarterfinals]
”Siguro kasi sa training din talaga inaaral namin yung palo niya eh, kasi yung mga coaching staff na namin yung sumasalang sa kabila para masanay lang kami sa palo talaga. Hindi man namin makabisado pero alam na namin kung paano yung gagawin,” Meneses said.
“Thankful ako na lumabas lahat ngayon kasi grabe yung kapit talaga ng team, so thankful ako na hindi namin pinabayaan kung ano yung pinaghirapan namin.”