Cignal takes it on the chin
‘Overall, I think our connection was a bit messy, but we’re glad that we saw what we need to work on, which is a lot.’
Vanie Gandler and the rest of the Cignal HD Spikers look forward to return on the winning track when they charge back into action in the 2024-2025 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF PVL
Cignal sees its first setback in the 2024-2025 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference as “necessary” with the team heading into the crucial stage of the preliminary round.
It was not the end of the year result that the HD Spikers wanted when they saw their four-game winning streak snapped before the league went on a long holiday break.
The second-running squad in the standings was utterly outplayed by Petro Gazz in a one-sided sweep, 25-19, 25-21, 25-18, last 14 December.
Cignal got outhustled by the Angels and it showed on the stats sheet.
However, the HD Spikers accepted the defeat and saw it as an opportunity to identify and address their weak points.
“Overall, I think our connection was a bit messy, but we’re glad that we saw what we need to work on, which is a lot,” starting winger Vanie Gandler said.
“Individually, like me, (I should work on) my offense, and our connection with the pattern, the blocking pattern, the deep floor defense,” added the Alas Pilipinas member, who is averaging 10.0 points per game.
Cignal had a hot start in the season-opening, six-monthlong tournament, rolling past Farm Fresh, Chery Tiggo, Choco Mucho and Nxled before hitting a brick wall.
The 2024 Invitational Conference runner-up is currently behind Petro Gazz (5-1) and ahead of defending champion Creamline (4-0) by virtue of higher match points earned.
“But we’re still happy with our standing and it’s still far from over,” said Gandler, who rejoined Cignal in the AFC after her national team stint along with libero Dawn Macandili-Catindig.
Expectations are high for the HD Spikers, who despite losing key players during the offseason still managed to hold their own against a beefed-up field.
Cignal will return to action on 21 January against a young but dangerous Galeries Tower at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
“There’s a lot to look forward to in 2025. We still have six more games. We still have a lot of chances to make it to the next round. Of course, we’re looking forward to the opportunity that we have and the opportunity right now is still very big,” Gandler said.