MANILA – Cignal HD Spikers put an end to Choco Mucho Flying Titans’ desire to reach the semifinals of the Premier Volleyball League Invitational with a 25-15, 25-21, 25-21 victory on Tuesday night at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Guimarasnon Jovelyn Gonzaga led the way with 13 points, including 10 attacks as the HD Spikers joined F2 Logistics Cargo Movers as among the semifinalists from Pool B with 4-1 win-loss slate.
Rachel Anne Daquis snapped her two-game struggle with 12 points, Frances Xinia Molina and Roselyn Doria contributed 10 markers apiece, while Marivic Meneses and Angel Cayuna wound up with six and five points, respectively, for Cignal HD.
“Sobrang blessed and happy. Kasi kung paano namin inaral, pano kami nag-prepare, yung adjustments, lumabas lahat,” said Cignal coach Shaq delos Santos. “Nanaig yung tiwala sa players. May leader(s) ka to take control of the team.”
Cherry Rondina did topscore for the Flying Titans for the fifth straight time but her 14-point production fell way short of her norm as her squad was relegated to the consolation round with the loss.
Mary Joy Baron, meanwhile, showed that she was still a force in the middle as she led the Cargo Movers to a semifinals-clinching 25-18, 25-18, 25-14 win over the Foton Tornadoes.
The former De La Salle University Lady Spikers middle blocker finished with 12 points on nine attacks, two aces, and one block to back up Ivy Lacsina, who led the Cargo Movers with 16 points.
“We are grateful (for this victory) kasi nakabalik kami sa panalo. But we can’t be relaxed, we can’t be overconfindent because in the semis, it will be hard battles again,” said F2 head coach Regine Diego. “Hopefully this is a good preparation (for the semis).”
PLDT High Speed Hitters, for its part, pulled off a stunning 25-21, 16-25, 25-23, 25-27, 15-12 triumph against Chery Tiggo Crossovers to clinch the last semifinals seat. Mean Mendrez was hailed as the Player of the Game with 16 points in the win.
The High Speed Hitters, the Cargo Movers and the HD Spikers joined defending champions Creamline Cool Smashers and foreign guest teams Kurashiki Ablaze and Kinh Bac Bac Ninh in the semis./PN
