MANILA, Philippines–Cignal confronted a surprisingly robust problem from Thailand’s EST Cola earlier than prevailing, 25-23, 27-25, 25-12, for a share of the lead within the PVL Invitational Convention on Sunday night time on the Mall of Asia Area.
Coming off a simple win over Farm Contemporary, Cignal needed to dig deep within the first two units in opposition to a decided EST Cola aspect. The HD Spikers scrambled late in each frames, particularly within the second, the place they needed to overcome a set level and survive a decent change to seal the win.
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The one-hour, 22-minute victory marked Cignal’s second straight triumph following its straight-set sweep of Farm Contemporary final Friday. With momentum on their aspect, the HD Spikers are actually primed for a vital match in opposition to the Creamline Cool Smashers on Monday additionally on the Pasay venue.
READ: PVL: Unbothered by fatigue, Cignal sweeps Farm Contemporary
Cignal squandered a commanding 2-0 set lead and in the end fell to Creamline in an exciting semifinal battle through the not too long ago concluded Bolstered Convention dominated by the Cool Smashers.
On this temporary nine-day event that includes 5 groups, each match is essential as the highest two groups from the single-round elimination part will battle for the championship.
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“I’m very blissful we pulled off this win. The primary two units have been extraordinarily robust, however our mindset was clear – we wished to get it,” stated MJ Perez. She and the remainder of the HD Spikers battled via fatigue, nonetheless recovering from the demanding Bolstered Convention.
Perez completed with 28 factors, together with 5 kill blocks, whereas Ces Molina backed her up with 12 markers and Chin Basas, Gel Cayuna, Rosely Doria, Riri Meneses and Jacki Acuña mixed for twenty-four factors.
Perez and Molina additionally helped anchor the HD Spikers’ protection, with the previous ending with 12 glorious digs and 9 receptions, and the latter posting six glorious digs and the identical variety of receptions.
Cayuna additionally shone with 19 glorious units, outplaying counterpart Kanokporn Sangthong, who had 12 glorious units.
READ: PVL: Cignal salvages Bolstered Convention bronze
Warisara Seetaloed topscored for EST Cola with 17 factors, whereas Nattharika Wasan, Tanyaporn Seeso and Natthawan Phatthaisong completed with 9, seven and 6 markers, respectively.
EST Cola, which had misplaced its first two matches to the Ablaze and Cool Smashers in 4 and three units, respectively, proved to be a formidable opponent for Cignal.
Within the first set, the HD Spikers managed to interrupt via at 23-all with a vital block by Perez on Phatthaisong, adopted by one other key level from Perez to take the set.
The second body mirrored the primary. With one other impasse at 23, EST Cola briefly surged forward with a kill from Wasan after a Cignal overpass.
Nevertheless, Perez as soon as once more delivered for the HD Spikers, securing a set-extending kill. Cayuna then shoved Cignal to set level with a artful two-handed push, just for Wasan to reply with a drop shot.
However a cross-court assault by Molina and a key block by Molina and Doria on Napatson Pumnin’s set-tying try gave Cignal a commanding 2-0 lead.
The third set noticed Cignal’s momentum absolutely take over as EST Cola misplaced steam.
The HD Spikers shortly constructed a 12-4 lead and by no means appeared again, pulling away to a 22-9 benefit. EST Cola’s errors within the closing phases sealed Cignal’s straight-set victory, with the Thais committing two last assault faults to finish the match.