Cignal shuts down Akari, fuels quarters bid

Katrin Trebichavská delivered the much-needed firepower as Cignal prevailed over Akari, 25-21, 23-25, 25-20, 25-20, for a rousing start in the second phase of the 2025 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference preliminary round on Thursday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.  

The Slovakian import pounded 22 of her 25 points off kills, including a pair of crucial spikes to stave off the Chargers’ late run in the fourth set for Super Spikers’ third win in six outings in Pool C.

Trebichavska also provided stability on floor defense, tallying nine digs and seven excellent receptions in Cignal’s rebound win after ending the first round with a painful straight-set loss to Capital1 to fan its quarterfinals bid.

“Obviously, the whole team had a really good mindset going into this. We all wanted to win. We all knew we could,” the 25-year-old winger said.

“And there was never hesitation to be talked about or even felt. Everybody was so sure we could do this. And we did it,” added Trebichavska, who replaced Greek Eva Chantava just less than three weeks ago.

The Super Spikers got a scare in the fourth frame when Akari closed in, 21-19, after Camille Victoria landed back-to-back aces.

Trebichavska answered with consecutive kills to give Cignal more breathing room as Ishie Lalongisip and Jackie Acuna put on the finishing touches.

Erika Santos produced 19 points off 13 kills, three aces and three kill blocks, Rose Doria-Aquino had 12 markers including four kill blocks while Lalongisip added 11 points for the Super Spikers, who outgunned the Chargers, 63-50, in attacks.

Akari dipped to a 3-3 carryover slate.

American Annie Mitchem finished with 22 points and Fifi Sharma had 13 markers for the Chargers.