Erika Santos and the Cignal HD Spikers within the PVL on Tour quarterfinals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.internet
MANILA, Philippines — Erika Santos remained explosive and fired 24 factors 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 Area.
Santos caught fireplace within the second set, scoring 11 factors, together with a private 4-0 run, that helped the HD Spikers mount an 18-7 lead en path to a 14-point win that arrange the sweep.
READ: PVL: Erika Santos massive in HD Spikers’ quarters-clinching conquer Thunderbelles
The younger reverse spiker additionally delivered the game-winning spike that landed on Akari’s line after the latter took two set-point benefits, 25-24, just for Chenie Tagaod to commit two consecutive assault errors. Grethcel Soltones tied the third set for the Chargers, however Tin Tiamzon put Cignal at match level, 27-26.
“I’m simply taking it as motivation. The units, the reps, the belief they offer me. I’ve began to actually embrace all of it. And it made me understand, ‘Ah, so that is my function.’ So I’m proudly owning it and utilizing it to push myself,” mentioned Santos, who had 22 kills on a 42 p.c assault fee in Filipino.
“I didn’t even understand it was straight factors. I used to be simply centered, no matter form of set Ate Gel provides me, I simply go for the hit. No matter she provides, I’m going for it. I’m actually grateful as a result of she trusts me.”
Santos, who had a 30-point career-high of their four-set win over ZUS Espresso final July 20 in Passi, has emerged because the preseason’s prime scorer and No.1 spiker to assist the HD Spikers win their fifth in six matches.
Cignal, which positioned ninth within the 2024-25 All-Filipino Convention, returns to the PVL semifinals on Tuesday at Sensible Araneta Coliseum towards the winner of the Nxled-Chery Tiggo quarterfinal sport.
Cignal HD Spikers’ Gel Cayuna throughout a PVL on Tour quarterfinals sport. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.internet
Gel Cayuna had one other sensible playmaking sport with 18 glorious units on prime of three factors. Rose Doria delivered 10 factors. Ishie Lalongisip contributed 9, whereas libero Buding Duremdes had 20 digs.
“It’s actually concerning the belief we now have in our group and our gamers. We had fairly a protracted relaxation earlier than this sport, so we actually used that point to arrange. We centered on strengthening our basis and made positive we invested in our preparation,” mentioned Coach Shaq Delos Santos in Filipino.
“We knew we had been going up towards a group with veteran and skilled gamers. Akari’s gamers are tall and their assaults are intense. Their blocks gave us a tough time, too…We additionally anticipated that the sport might get shut. What actually helped was how properly we ready and received prepared for it.”
Cignal recovered from a 9-12 begin within the opening body then cruised to a 19-12 unfold after 10 unanswered factors. Akari minimize it down to 2 after Ced Domingo’s hit, 20-18, however Ishie Lalongisip restored the order for Cignal, igniting a 5-2 run to take the 1-0 lead.
Akari, which eradicated Petro Gazz within the knockout spherical on Tuesday, is lacking the preseason semifinals after back-to-back podium finishes within the 2024 Strengthened and former All-Filipino Convention.
Domingo scored most of her 11 factors within the third for an 18-15 lead solely the HD Spikers to battle again with Jackie Acuña stopping the momentum.
The Chargers had been led by Eli Soyud’s 13-point effort, as Ivy Lacsina was restricted to simply 4 factors.
