Cignal finally ends three-year skid vs. Creamline in PVL on Tour

July 2 ------ CIGNAL has finally solved the Creamline curse. The HD Spikers erased a three-year, eight-game head-to-head skid against the Cool Smashers, 25-22, 25-18, 28-26, in the PVL on Tour at the Playtime Cares Filoil Centre. It took five match points for Cignal to put its champion foes away, courtesy of back-to-back hits from Ishie Lalongisip who had 15 points in the win.

The last time Cignal trumped the 10-time PVL champions was back in the single-round robin semifinals of the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference. As a result, it became the solo leader in Pool B with a 3-0 record after previously beating Capital1 and Akari on opening weekend in Vigan City.

Cignal made the most of a rare slow start from Creamline, opening the match with an 11-4 run. Even as the pink shirts managed to save two set points, their comeback bid was repulsed by Cignal newcomer Erika Santos’ attack to take the first frame. Another strong Cignal start spelled the difference in Set 2 and was capped by an even stronger 7-2 blitz to further widen its gap. HD Spikers newcomer Erika Santos was again at the forefront on offense with 18 points on 14 attacks, two blocks and two aces.

Gel Cayuna displayed her playmaking prowess once more with 22 excellent sets and five markers. “’Di namin in-expect talaga na ma-straight sets [‘yung Creamline]. Ang good thing is sobrang nakaka-proud yung team, both coaches and players, and even yung management sa support,” said Cignal head coach Shaq delos Santos. “Kung paano kami nag-prepare, sobrang happy kasi pinush nila na magawa [‘yung panalo]. Nagko-commit ng error, pero ang good thing ay paano maka-bounce back. Magiging bala pa namin to para mas mag-improve pa.”

The last time Creamline was dealt a straight-sets loss was back in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference to Chery Tiggo in Sta. Rosa Laguna, one that halted its 19-game win streak at the time. Michele Gumabao was the lone Creamline player in double figures with 11 points. Team captain Alyssa Valdez, who turned 32 two days prior to their first tour, had nine points and nine receptions. A near-three-week break awaits Creamline and Cignal before returning to action in Passi City, Iloilo on July 19 and 20.

Source: spin.ph