The Cignal HD Spikers brace for their biggest test yet in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference, and that is facing powerhouse Creamline Cool Smashers in the semifinals.
A tournament crown has seemingly eluded the Cignal HD Spikers since joining the PVL, but the 2024 Reinforced Conference may just be the championship run they’ve long been waiting for.
After missing out on the semifinals of the 2024 All-Filipino Conference, Cignal is back once more, hungrier than ever, to win its first-ever PVL crown.
Below is a timeline of Cignal’s road throughout the conference, proving why the HD Spikers are legit title contenders.
Amiga’s return
It all started with the arrival of returning import MJ Perez.
The 36-year-old Venezuelan import is no stranger to winning in the Philippine volleyball scene, leading the now-defunct F2 Logistics Cargo Movers in the Philippine Super Liga.
Joining Cignal, Perez brought her winning mentality to the HD Spikers, who came close in the 2022 Reinforced Conference after falling short in the finals.
By the end of the preliminaries, Perez is fourth among the top scorers with a total of 195 points. She is also fifth in the service ace list, and tenth in the spiking department.
Starting strong in Pool B
Cignal was unfazed at the start of the conference, even without its main superstars Vanie Gandler and Dawn Macandili-Catindig.
One of the HD Spikers' biggest revelations during the tournament was converted libero Judith Abil, who provided a steady presence on the defensive end.
After the preliminary round, Abil ranked ninth among the top diggers with an average of 2.70 per set.
[ALSO READ: PVL: Judith Abil impresses as converted libero in Cignal’s sweep of Choco Mucho in Reinforced Conference]
The Perez-led HD Spikers finished Pool B with a 4-1 record, with their only loss coming against the still-undefeated Akari Chargers.
Securing the second seed
In the crossover round, the HD Spikers continued to show authority after going 3-0, defeating the Farm Fresh Foxies, Galeries Tower Highrisers, and Nxled Chameleons.
With their victories, Cignal secured a top-two seed heading into the knockout quarterfinals, where they faced the Capital1 Solar Spikers.
Overcoming super import Marina Tushova
The HD Spikers looked like they were on their way to an easy quarterfinal victory after leading 2-0 in sets. But then came Tushova, who broke her PVL scoring record once more with 50 points.
[RELATED STORY: In Manila, Marina Tushova found her Filipina smile. The PVL record-breaker intends to keep it]
Despite the onslaught, Cignal held on with the help of its middle blockers, Riri Meneses and Jackie Acuña, who denied Tushova in crucial moments of the fifth set.
[ALSO READ: PVL: Jackie Acuña applies lessons from Cignal coaches, veterans for huge leap as middle blocker in Reinforced Conference]
Acuña also made it to the top blockers list, ranking third with 18 deflections.
Destiny awaits Cignal
As the saying goes, “To be the best, you have to beat the best.”
Standing in the way of the HD Spikers are none other than the Creamline Cool Smashers, the winningest team in the PVL.
[ALSO READ: Mega Powers finally collide: Cignal and Creamline brace for biggest PVL head-to-head yet]
It only seems fitting that if Cignal wants to claim the PVL Reinforced Conference title, they must get through Creamline first in the semifinals.
In front of what is expected to be a jam-packed Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday, August 31, the HD Spikers have a chance to create a noteworthy feat en route to the championship game.
Could this Reinforced Conference finally belong to Cignal? We’ll have to wait and see.
The semifinal clash is set for 4:30 p.m. and will air on One Sports, One Sports+, and the Pilipinas Live app.