Cignal sweeps PLDT to hand sister team its first loss in PVL AFC

February 25 ------ THIS time, it was Cignal that drew first blood in a sister-team showdown. The HD Spikers stunned erstwhile unbeaten PLDT, 25-21, 25-19, 25-23, in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference at the Playtime Filoil Centre. The result flipped another sibling duel in unexpected fashion as Cignal handed the High Speed Hitters their first loss of the conference after a perfect three-game start.

With the defeat, PLDT’s bid for an outright semifinals berth took a hit as no team can now complete a preliminary-round sweep. In a twist of timing, the league saw its last winless squad in Akari finally barge into the win column just as its last unbeaten team in PLDT absorbed its first defeat. "May makukuha din kaming advantage dahil siyempre, nandu'n kami sa magandang ranking. Mahirap siyang i-maintain for sure pero patrabahuhin namin at magpre-prepare kami sa lahat ng games na natitira sa'min," said Cignal head coach Shaq delos Santos.

Cignal came out firing, racing to a 17-9 lead before PLDT mounted an 11-4 counter to trim the deficit to just one late in the opening set. But the Super Spikers held their ground, with Gel Cayuna, Erika Santos, and Ishie Lalongisip combining for four of the team’s last five points to seize control. Cignal carried that momentum into the second frame as Santos and Vanie Gandler dictated the pace, spearheading the Super Spikers’ relentless attack with a combined 31-point output.

The Super Spikers again took early command in the third set, building a 16-11 cushion before PLDT stormed back to grab a slim 17-16 edge. What followed was a tense exchange, with Savi Davison leading the High Speed Hitters’ desperate stand. Davison saved a match point to pull PLDT within striking distance of a 24-all deadlock, but Cayuna delivered a late surge to extinguish the comeback and seal the shock straight-sets victory. Santos led Cignal with 17 points, while Gandler added 14 markers and eight receptions. Cayuna orchestrated the offense with 18 excellent sets and chipped in nine points.

PLDT, which entered the match unbeaten and coming off a two-title campaign last year, struggled to find its usual rhythm. Davison paced the High Speed Hitters with 14 points and seven receptions, while Kianna Dy added 11 markers. Mika Reyes finished with seven points, highlighted by four blocks.

Source: spin.ph