No-import Cignal snaps PLDT 3-conference, 15-game streak

MANILA, Philippines, October 22 ------ A sister team showdown turned one-sided in the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference but not the way everyone expected it to go. The winless Cignal Super Spikers, fresh off releasing its import Eva Chantava and playing without Alas Pilipinas ace Vanie Gandler, snapped the three-conference, 15-game winning streak of sister team PLDT High Speed Hitters in a shocking 25-17, 25-22, 25-21 sweep at the Araneta Coliseum.

The breakthrough win under the rechristened Super Spikers moniker now puts Cignal at 1-2 in Pool A, while PLDT fell to a 2-1 card. Former MVP Erika Santos finally found her groove with a game-high 17 points, all off attacks, as four-time PVL Best Setter Gel Cayuna executed a flawless offense with 20 excellent sets and 6 points, helping all six starters, including her, tally at least 6 points. Another league MVP, Savi Davison, paced the unexpected loss with a team-high 14 points, while Russian import Anastasiia Bavykina limped down to just 10 markers.

With PLDT’s loss, rising Farm Fresh is now the Pool A leader with a clean 3-0 slate after a thrilling four-set conquest of the Capital1 Solar Spikers, 25-22, 22-25, 25-21, 25-22 in the triple-header curtain-raiser. Already owning a conference-best 38-point output. Belgian import Eli Rousseaux proved her prowess is no one-off showing with 36 markers in the close win, built off 33 attacks, 2 aces and 1 block. Former PVL MVP Ces Molina had her best outing yet in a Foxies uniform, tying Trisha Tubu with 13 points apiece, as Alohi Robins-Hardy rounded out the well-oiled offense with 21 excellent sets and 9 points.

Not to be outshone, winger-turned-libero Alyssa Bertolano shone in her new defensive role with 20 digs and 13 excellent receptions, as Farm Fresh sent Capital1 down a 1-2 record to tie Cignal. Sasha Bytsenko paced the tight loss with 26 points off 23 attacks and 3 blocks, while rookie two-way sensation Bella Belen scattered 20 points and 19 excellent receptions. Sandwiched in the middle game, the Choco Mucho Flying Titans cruised to their second win for a 2-1 card after outgunning the hapless Nxled Chameleons in a close sweep, 25-23, 25-19, 25-22.

American reinforcement Marlee Smith churned out her second straight 20-point game, while Fil-Am Alas setter Tia Andaya stood out with 15 excellent sets and 8 points. Two-way anchor Isa Molde chipped in 11 points and 14 excellent receptions, tying Thang Ponce who in turn also had 17 digs. Spanish import Paola Martinez paced Nxled’s descent to a 0-3 slate with 20 points, backstopped by 9 markers from rookie Lyann de Guzman.

Source: rappler.com