Cignal Wins Bronze Medal in PVL Second All-Filipino Conference
In a thrilling match, Cignal captured the bronze medal in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Second All-Filipino Conference after sweeping Chery Tiggo, 18-25, 25-21, 25-22, 26-24, in their battle for third series on Saturday, Dec. 16, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The HD Spikers extended their record for most third-place finishes in the league with a fourth bronze medal in seven conferences.
Vanie Gandler led the way for the Cignal HD Spikers with a team-high 22 points on 22 kills. The bronze medalists were determined to finish on the podium after a three-game semifinals defeat, and they ended a fruitful season with a resounding victory.
Team captain Ces Molina and veteran spiker Jov Gonzaga chipped in 14 and 12 points, respectively, behind Gandler.
Cignal overcame an opening-set stumble before rolling past a feisty Chery Tiggo side the rest of the way. In the fourth set, the HD Spikers couldn’t pull away for good as the Laure sisters kept knocking on their door until the game was tied at 16-all.
After a last-minute challenge by Chery Tiggo, the referees overruled the call by the Crossovers, leading to Cignal’s victory.
On the losing end, four Crossovers finished in double figures, with EJ and Eya tallying 17 and 16 points, respectively, in their first professional stint together as teammates. Cess Robles and Gaston had 13 and 11 markers on the losing end.
Meanwhile, the defending champion Creamline Cool Smashers aim for a perfect 15-0 conference record as their title defense continues in Game 2 of their finals duel against sister team and finals debutante Choco Mucho.
