Cignal sends Army packing

Photo courtesy of PVL
Games Saturday:
(Sta. Rosa Sports Complex)
2:30 p.m. –- Petro Gazz vs PLDT
5:30 p.m. –- Chery Tiggo vs Creamline
Cignal rediscovered its winning ways as it eliminated Army with an emphatic straight-set victory, 25-23, 25-19, 25-19, to pump life into its Final Four bid in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference on Thursday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The HD Spikers shook off a rusty start after a two-week layoff to arrest a two-game slide and remain in the thick of the battle for the last three semifinals seats with an even 2-2 win-loss record.
Unbeaten Chery Tiggo (5-0) occupied the first semis seat while undefeated grand slam-seeking Creamline (4-0) is cinched to own a spot in the round-robin Final Four.
"This win gave us a good chance (in the semifinals race). At this point we can't relax, every game is a must-win for us," Cignal coach Shaq Delos Santos said.
"I'm proud of my players' commitment and they performed well today."
Cignal's American import Tai Bierria finished with 17 points highlighted by 16 attacks, including an off-speed hit that broke a 23-23 deadlock in the tight opening set, as well as 12 digs.
Skipper Rachel Anne Daquis had 10 markers while Ces Molina, who played only in the last two sets, chipped in 10 points with seven coming in the third frame for the HD Spikers.
Middle Riri Meneses saw action for the first time after missing three games and made an immediate impact at the net as she tallied two kill blocks in her seven-point debut in the season-ending conference.
