Erika Santos and the Cignal HD Spikers in the PVL on Tour quarterfinals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Erika Santos remained explosive and fired 24 points as Cignal knocked Akari out with a 25-20, 25-11, 28-26 win and moved on to the PVL on Tour semifinals on Thursday at Philsports Arena.
Santos caught fire in the second set, scoring 11 points, including a personal 4-0 run, that helped the HD Spikers mount an 18-7 lead en route to a 14-point win that set up the sweep.
READ: PVL: Erika Santos big in HD Spikers’ quarters-clinching triumph over Thunderbelles
The young opposite spiker also delivered the game-winning spike that landed on Akari’s line after the latter took two set-point advantages, 25-24, only for Chenie Tagaod to commit two consecutive attack errors. Grethcel Soltones tied the third set for the Chargers, but Tin Tiamzon put Cignal at match point, 27-26.
“I’m just taking it as motivation. The sets, the reps, the trust they give me. I’ve started to really embrace all of it. And it made me realize, ‘Ah, so this is my role.’ So I’m owning it and using it to push myself,” said Santos, who had 22 kills on a 42 percent attack rate in Filipino.
“I didn’t even realize it was straight points. I was just focused, whatever kind of set Ate Gel gives me, I just go for the hit. Whatever she gives, I go for it. I’m really thankful because she trusts me.”
Santos, who had a 30-point career-high in their four-set win over ZUS Coffee last July 20 in Passi, has emerged as the preseason’s top scorer and No.1 spiker to help the HD Spikers win their fifth in six matches.
Cignal, which placed ninth in the 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference, returns to the PVL semifinals on Tuesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum against the winner of the Nxled-Chery Tiggo quarterfinal game.
Cignal HD Spikers’ Gel Cayuna during a PVL on Tour quarterfinals game. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Gel Cayuna had another brilliant playmaking game with 18 excellent sets on top of three points. Rose Doria delivered 10 points. Ishie Lalongisip contributed nine, while libero Buding Duremdes had 20 digs.
“It’s really about the trust we have in our team and our players. We had quite a long rest before this game, so we really used that time to prepare. We focused on strengthening our foundation and made sure we invested in our preparation,” said Coach Shaq Delos Santos in Filipino.
“We knew we were going up against a team with veteran and experienced players. Akari’s players are tall and their attacks are intense. Their blocks gave us a hard time, too…We also expected that the game could get close. What really helped was how well we prepared and got ready for it.”
Cignal recovered from a 9-12 start in the opening frame then cruised to a 19-12 spread after 10 unanswered points. Akari cut it down to two after Ced Domingo’s hit, 20-18, but Ishie Lalongisip restored the order for Cignal, igniting a 5-2 run to take the 1-0 lead.
Akari, which eliminated Petro Gazz in the knockout round on Tuesday, is missing the preseason semifinals after back-to-back podium finishes in the 2024 Reinforced and previous All-Filipino Conference.
Domingo scored most of her 11 points in the third for an 18-15 lead only the HD Spikers to fight back with Jackie Acuña stopping the momentum.
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The Chargers were led by Eli Soyud’s 13-point effort, as Ivy Lacsina was limited to just four points.
