Cignal’s investment in familiarity during the season break paid dividends in a quick work of revamped Galeries Tower, 25-17, 25-14, 25-11, for a rousing start in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference Saturday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Barely tweaking their lineup while the rest of the field engaged in an arms race, the Super Spikers’ chemistry spelled the big difference in the one-hour, 20-minute mauling of the Highrisers.
“It’s a huge impact and a big help for us that we have an intact core,” Cignal head coach Shaq delos Santos said.
The Super Spikers’ fluid flow of offense resulted in three players scoring in double figures, with Tin Tiamzon posting a game-high 18 points.
Now in her fourth conference after coming out of retirement, the De La Salle University product made a killing from the service area, scoring six aces to go with 10 attacks and a pair of kill blocks.
“I think, I just want to perform for the team. I want to repay the investment made by coach and the management as well as the risk they took in taking me in from retirement,” said Tiamzon, who had five excellent receptions.
Vanie Gandler, fresh off a stint in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand last month, added 14 points built on 12 kills and two aces spiked with three digs and three receptions for Cignal, who outgunned Galeries Tower, 46-24.
Erika Santos scored 13 while Jackie Acuna posted six points for the Super Spikers, who played sans lone offseason addition setter Ivy Perez after sustaining a minor sprain during practice.
Cignal was in full control of the third set after repelling resistance from the Highrisers in the first two frames.
The Super Spikers went up, 16-5, from a well-placed push by playmaker Gel Cayuna. Cignal cruised from there.