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Category: Volleyball

  • UST-FEU Final Four showdown set as NU seals No. 2 seed in UAAP women’s volleyball race 

    UST-FEU Final Four showdown set as NU seals No. 2 seed in UAAP women’s volleyball race 

    The spotlight in UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball now shifts to a winner-take-all battle between University of Santo Tomas and Far Eastern University, with the final Final Four ticket hanging.


    Both squads are left standing after contrasting paths in the closing stretch of the eliminations, setting up a high-pressure playoff scheduled on April 25 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

     

    UST finds itself in survival mode after dropping a tough reverse sweep loss to defending champions National University, 19-25, 23-25, 25-18, 25-18, 15-13. The defeat halted their push for a secure semifinals berth and forced them into a sudden-death scenario.

     

    The Growling Tigresses, however, showed enough firepower to stay in the race. Angge Poyos delivered 24 points, 15 receptions, and nine digs, while Regina Jurado added 21 points and 16 digs. Cassie Carballo ran the offense with 25 excellent sets, and Detdet Pepito anchored the defense with 20-of-22 excellent receptions and 16 digs.

     

    Despite the setback, Pepito emphasized composure and enjoyment amid the pressure-packed moment.

     

    “Sinasabi ko palagi sa kanila na, ‘Guys, ayaw ko pang mag-pro, please. After na ng UAAP, saka ko iisipin kung last ko na. So focus lang talaga sa goal at trabahuhin yung mga weaknesses namin,” she said.

     

    “Yung pressure, andoon na. Do-or-die na, lalo sa akin. Mabigat po talaga yung laro, pero kailangan mapakita ko sa mga bata na kailangan pa rin naming mag-enjoy. ‘Pag nag-e-enjoy kami, mas madaling maglaro,” the former UAAP Best Libero added.

     

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    FEU, meanwhile, arrives with momentum after keeping its Final Four hopes alive with a four-set comeback win over Ateneo, 22-25, 23-25, 25-12, 25-21.

     

    Gerzel Petallo led the charge with 17 points, 16 digs, and 11 receptions, while Lovely Lopez contributed 13 points and 26 receptions. Kyle Pendon also stepped up with 13 points built on a strong all-around effort.

     

    With everything on the line, FEU head coach Tina Salak remains confident in her squad’s mindset heading into the knockout clash.

     

    “Kung magkaroon pa kami ng chance, we’ll take it without any questions.I know mahirap, but for me, it’s about kung ano yung gusto namin. Dapat lahat kami pare-pareho,” veteran head coach said.

     

    While the UST-FEU duel takes center stage, defending champions National University quietly completed their own business, finishing the elimination round with a 10-4 record to secure the No. 2 seed and a direct path to the Final Four, reinforcing their status as the team to beat in the postseason.

    On the other hand, the De La Salle Lady Spikers have already secured a Finals berth after finishing the elimination round with a perfect 14-0 record, while Adamson University clinched the third seed.

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  • Creamline closes in, Cignal scrambles as finals shift to crucial Game 2

    Creamline closes in, Cignal scrambles as finals shift to crucial Game 2

    The gap between experience and aspiration was on full display in Game 1—and now, both teams are forced to confront it head-on.

     

    Creamline didn’t just take the opening win of the PVL All-Filipino Finals; it reasserted a standard. In a match that barely stretched beyond 90 minutes, the Cool Smashers played with the kind of clarity that only comes from years of navigating this stage. On the other side, Cignal found itself chasing not just points, but composure.

     

    That contrast now defines the series.

     

    With Game 2 looming at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Creamline stands a win away from adding another chapter to its dynasty. For Cignal, the equation is far more urgent: adapt quickly, or watch the breakthrough slip away.

     

    The short turnaround only sharpens the divide. “Syempre, sobrang happy kasi in three sets namin nakuha yung Cignal. Malaking benefit kasi one-day preparation lang para sa Game 2,” said head coach Sherwin Meneses.

     

    A straight-sets victory does more than secure momentum—it preserves energy and simplifies preparation. Instead of reworking systems, Creamline can focus on refinement, tightening the few areas that slipped through in an otherwise controlled performance.

     

    “Makakapag-rest kami nang maayos, then makakapag-training din kasi hindi pa naman tapos yung laban. Ta-trabahuhin namin yung mga lapses namin… pero hindi kami puwedeng magkampante. Ang Cignal, hindi bibitaw yan.”

     

    Still, Game 1 hinted at a different reality. Cignal struggled to settle into its rhythm, committing 22 errors that repeatedly halted any attempt at building momentum. It wasn’t just a matter of execution—it was the weight of the moment, a first All-Filipino Finals appearance colliding with a team that has long mastered it.

     

    Meanwhile, Creamline operated with precision.

     

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    Jia de Guzman dictated the tempo with a balanced attack, distributing sets across Jema Galanza, Bernadeth Pons, and Tots Carlos, while anchoring the middle with Bea de Leon and Pangs Panaga. The result was a system that never looked rushed, never predictable—just efficient.


    “Siguro nakapag-execute kami nang maayos, at yung chemistry ng players talagang tumataas pa,” Meneses said. “Yung time na mag-jell is nandito ngayon sa Finals.”

     

    That chemistry, built over years of shared high-pressure moments, now becomes Creamline’s biggest advantage.

     

    For Cignal, the challenge is more layered. “Syempre medyo mabigat para sa amin yun,” admitted head coach Shaq delos Santos.

     

    With limited time to prepare, the Super Spikers aren’t just making adjustments—they’re searching for a reset. The corrections are clear: stabilize reception to give Gel Cayuna control, reduce the unforced errors that handed Creamline easy points, and rediscover the identity that fueled their Finals run.

     

    But beyond tactics, the shift has to come from within. “Kailangan ko maniwala sa team at sa sistema… huwag masyado i-pressure ang sarili. Ilabas lang ang totoong laro naming,” delos Santos said.

     

    That belief will be tested immediately.

     

    Because Game 2 isn’t just another match—it’s a turning point. Creamline enters with the comfort of control, needing only to sustain its level. Cignal steps in with urgency, needing to elevate everything at once.

     

    Elsewhere, the battle for third carries its own stakes. PLDT aims to complete a sweep against Farm Fresh after surviving a five-set opener, a reminder that even outside the Finals, nothing in this conference has come easy.

     

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  • “Familiar territory for us”: Jia De Guzman savors PVL Finals return after three-year absence 

    “Familiar territory for us”: Jia De Guzman savors PVL Finals return after three-year absence 

    Game 1 did not simply hand the lead to the Creamline Cool Smashers—it reintroduced something far more familiar.

     

    For a franchise long defined by sustained dominance, the Cool Smashers did more than secure a straight-sets victory over the Cignal HD Spikers. They looked like themselves again—disciplined, composed, and ruthlessly efficient—and that, more than the final scoreline, was what unsettled Cignal in the opening game of the finals.

     

    The 25-22, 25-18, 25-16 result at the Smart Araneta Coliseum only captured a fraction of the narrative. What unfolded was not simply a case of Cignal underperforming under pressure, but rather Creamline rediscovering its championship rhythm at an ideal moment in the series.

     

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    The Super Spikers entered the finals well-prepared and battle-tested, having navigated a difficult postseason path marked by multiple elimination scares. However, instead of being overwhelmed by the magnitude of the occasion, they found themselves confronting a Creamline side that offered little margin for error, controlling stretches of the match with poise and precision.

     

    Much of that control was orchestrated by veteran setter Jia De Guzman, who delivered a composed performance in what was her first PVL Finals appearance in three years. Returning from a two-season stint in Japan’s V.League with the Denso AiryBees, De Guzman showed little sign of rust, finishing with 22 excellent sets while steering Creamline’s offense with her usual calm authority.

     

    For De Guzman, the familiarity of championship pressure played a key role in how Creamline approached the moment.

    “I think ‘familiar’ is the better word for it. A lot of us were talking before the game about what the feeling is coming into today’s game. Every championship is different, but it is familiar territory for us because we have had experiences before. But we know after this Game 1 is different from Game 2, and we have to do our best to close out as much as possible because we know Cignal is a good team. They gave us a hard time in the whole conference,” De Guzman said in the postmatch press conference.

     

    The 30-year-old playmaker, who also captains the Alas Pilipinas program, further reinforced her status as one of the most decorated figures in PVL history, with four Most Valuable Player awards and multiple championship titles highlighting her career.

     

    Creamline’s approach in Game 1 was also shaped by previous encounters in the conference, where Cignal had pushed them to the limit in both the Play-In and semifinal rounds. That added layer of adversity, according to De Guzman, served as motivation rather than pressure.

     

    “We know what happened in the regular round. Tapos na ‘yun. The finals are a different story. And we did our best to prepare, to work with the strengths of Creamline, and believe that we can execute the best way we can coming into this game. And we are thankful that we were very focused from start to finish,” she added.

     

    Despite taking a crucial 1-0 series lead, De Guzman emphasized that Creamline’s work is far from finished, especially with Cignal expected to respond strongly in Game 2. The Cool Smashers are now targeting their 11th PVL championship, but the veteran setter stressed the importance of recovery and discipline moving forward.

     

    “We are optimistic. We are thankful that the team is slowly coming together. We are peaking at the right time. But Game 2 will be a different kind of fight. For now, the instruction is to rest and recover tonight, then go back to training tomorrow. No matter the result today, we stay focused,” De Guzman concluded.

     

    Game 2 now shifts back to the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Thursday, April 23, where both Creamline and Cignal are expected to raise the level of intensity in what could prove to be a pivotal clash in the best-of-three championship series.

     

     

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  • Jema Galanza embraces bigger fight as Creamline eyes return to glory

    Jema Galanza embraces bigger fight as Creamline eyes return to glory

    For Jema Galanza, this Finals run feels different—not because it’s unfamiliar, but because it’s harder.

     

    Long regarded as one of the pillars of Creamline’s success, Galanza has been part of the franchise’s rise, dominance, and now, its attempt to reclaim what once seemed automatic. But in a Premier Volleyball League that continues to evolve, she has found herself navigating a new kind of challenge—one where nothing comes easy anymore.

     

    The Cool Smashers’ sweep of Cignal in Game 1 of the 2026 All-Filipino Conference Finals may have looked convincing on paper, but for Galanza, it represented something deeper: a reward for a season defined by grind rather than control.

     

    “Yung season kasi ngayon para sa amin, ako sa tagal ko sa Creamline, ito yung season na mabigat talaga kasi nag-level up na yung ibang teams,” said the former league MVP, who tallied 17 points and 13 excellent receptions in the opener.

     

    “So ngayon, mas gigil talaga kaming manalo kasi iba yung feeling pag nananalo kami. Pag nanalo kami ngayon, pinaghirapan talaga namin yung game na ‘to,” she added.

    That perspective didn’t come overnight.

     

    After completing a Grand Slam in 2024, Creamline entered the following year carrying the weight of expectation—only to come up empty-handed in 2025. For Galanza, that stretch forced a shift not just in preparation, but in mindset. Winning was no longer about maintaining a standard—it became about rediscovering it.

     

    Along the way, doubt crept in.

     

    “Talagang nag-build sila ng players and parang kami minsan kinukuwestiyon na rin namin yung isa’t isa kung aabot ba kami sa dulo,” she admitted.

     

    It’s a rare glimpse into the internal battles of a team so often seen as untouchable. For Galanza, it meant learning how to lead not just through performance, but through belief—especially when results weren’t going their way.

     

    And yet, when the Finals arrived, so did a sense of familiarity. This marks Creamline’s 15th Finals appearance and ninth straight in the All-Filipino Conference, and that experience showed in how composed the team looked in Game 1. 

     

    For Galanza, it wasn’t just about delivering points—it was about steadying the group in moments that mattered.

     

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    Still, she’s quick to deflect credit.

     

    “Siguro malaking bagay lang na meron akong teammates na sumusuporta sa akin, nagtitiwala sa akin, and of course, yung coaches din ganun din sila sa akin,” she said.

     

    “Malaking bagay sila—malaking part sila ng life ko, kaya sa ganitong mga laro, alam mo ’yon, ini-enjoy mo, tinatanggap mo kasi ito ’yung mga larong minsan lang mangyayari sa life natin. So thankful ako na meron akong teammates na nagbo-boost ng energy at morale ko,” she added.

    That connection, more than any stat line, has anchored her through the ups and downs of the season.

     

    But even with a strong start in the series, Galanza knows better than to get comfortable.

    Cignal has already proven to be a dangerous opponent, and adjustments are inevitable heading into Game 2. For her, the key isn’t dominance—it’s discipline.

     

    “Hahabaan namin yung pasensya namin at ready kami sa mga babaguhin ng Cignal sa Game 2. And siguro, yun, lagi naman naming sinasabi na one day lang ang preparation, so kailangan naming makarecover agad talaga ngayong gabi, makakain nang maayos at makatulog, then balik kami sa training at Game 2 ulit.”

     

    For Galanza, this Finals isn’t just another chapter in a decorated career.

    It’s a reminder that staying on top requires something different every time—and this season, it has demanded more than ever.

     

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  • Savi Davison carries PLDT past Farm Fresh, eyes redemption run in bronze clash

    Savi Davison carries PLDT past Farm Fresh, eyes redemption run in bronze clash

    For Savi Davison and the PLDT High Speed Hitters, Game 1 of the PVL All-Filipino Conference Battle for Bronze was not just another win—it was a statement forged through persistence.

     

    In a dramatic five-set showdown at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, PLDT survived a determined challenge from the Farm Fresh Foxies, pulling off a 22-25, 25-21, 27-25, 26-28, 15-11 victory to move one step away from securing a podium finish in the season-ending tournament.

     

    The match swung like a pendulum from start to finish. Farm Fresh struck first, taking the opening set 25-22, but PLDT quickly responded in Set 2 behind sharper execution and better control of key rallies. 

     

    The third set turned into a high-pressure chess match, with PLDT narrowly escaping 27-25 to take control of the series momentum. Farm Fresh refused to fold, forcing a deciding fifth set after edging Set 4 in a tight 28-26 finish.

     

    Davison took over when it mattered most, scoring four of PLDT’s last five points and finishing the match with the decisive attack that sealed the victory. Her 33-point explosion once again underlined her role as the team’s primary offensive engine in high-pressure moments.

     

    “I think we’ve had a pretty tough journey leading up to the playoffs. So, we really came into this game wanting it. You know, really wanting to redeem ourselves,” Davison said.

     

    The win carried deeper meaning for PLDT, which had previously been eliminated from Finals contention by Farm Fresh in the semifinals. That added emotional weight to the matchup, turning Game 1 into a chance for redemption rather than just survival in the bronze medal series.

     

    “I think we’ve had a pretty tough journey throughout the playoffs. We really came into this game really wanting it, really wanting to redeem ourselves,” she added.

     

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    But PLDT’s success was not built on Davison alone. Kianna Dy delivered 16 points, providing timely offense during momentum swings, while Mika Reyes contributed 13 markers through steady net presence and blocking support. Alleiah Malaluan and Majoy Baron added 11 and 10 points respectively, giving PLDT a balanced attack that proved crucial in the extended match.

     

    Setting the table throughout the five-set grind was Kim Fajardo, who finished with 36 excellent sets and was named Player of the Game for her leadership and distribution under pressure.

     

    On the opposite side, Trisha Tubu led Farm Fresh with 30 points, keeping the Foxies within striking distance in nearly every set. However, despite multiple late-set pushes, Farm Fresh could not close out the match in the fifth set as PLDT tightened its defense and executed more cleanly in transition.

     

    Now holding a 1–0 advantage in the Battle for Bronze, PLDT finds itself just one win away from securing the bronze medal. 

     

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  • “It’s a best-of-three series for a reason”: Vanie Gandler confident Cignal can mount a PVL Finals comeback 

    “It’s a best-of-three series for a reason”: Vanie Gandler confident Cignal can mount a PVL Finals comeback 

    Game 1 of the finals did more than simply hand the series lead to the Creamline Cool Smashers—it signaled the return of a team that once defined dominance in the league.

     

    For a squad that has built its identity on consistency, composure, and championship pedigree, Creamline didn’t just secure a win—they reestablished their presence as the standard. And for the Cignal HD Spikers, it was a version of the Cool Smashers that proved difficult to anticipate and even harder to contain.

     

    The straight-sets result, 25-22, 25-18, 25-16, only scratched the surface of what unfolded at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. While the scoreboard reflected control, the match itself highlighted Creamline’s ability to dictate tempo, capitalize on key stretches, and maintain relentless pressure from start to finish. It was less about Cignal faltering under the bright lights and more about Creamline rediscovering its rhythm at precisely the right moment in the series.

     

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    Cignal entered the finals carrying momentum and experience, having navigated a challenging path to reach the championship round. With a roster capable of matching up against any team, the HD Spikers were expected to put up a stern fight. However, they found themselves on the back foot early, struggling to keep pace with Creamline’s fluid offense and disciplined defense.

     

    Despite the loss, Vanie Gandler stood out as a bright spot for Cignal. The star outside hitter continued her strong run of form, finishing with 17 points while anchoring the team’s floor defense with 10 excellent receptions. Her performance underscored her importance to the squad, particularly in high-pressure situations.

    Following the match, Gandler remained composed and forward-looking, emphasizing the importance of moving past the opening setback in a best-of-three championship series.

     

    “Yeah, it was a tough loss but it’s Game 1, it’s a best-of-three series for a reason. We are just going forward and do what we need to do to improve. Creamline really did their best, so maybe we were overwhelmed with how we played. It’s a new day tomorrow,” Gandler said.

     

    Her comments reflected a team that, while tested, is far from discouraged. Gandler acknowledged that Creamline’s depth and star power may have caught them off guard at times, but she stressed that the HD Spikers are intent on learning from the experience rather than dwelling on it.

     

    “Yeah we are approaching the loss with our heads up, like I said, the championship series isn’t over and we know the lapses and what we did wrong so hopefully we are able to bounce back. That’s why we are not dwelling on our loss today, we are just focusing on our recovery and then what we need to do to improve our lapses,” she added.

     

    For Cignal, the path forward is clear: regroup, recalibrate, and respond. Adjustments—both tactical and mental—will be crucial as they attempt to counter Creamline’s balanced attack and regain their footing in the series.

     

    Game 2 now looms as a pivotal encounter. With their backs against the wall, the HD Spikers will look to force a deciding Game 3 and extend the series, while Creamline aims to sustain its momentum and close out the championship in dominant fashion.

     

    All eyes will once again turn to the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Thursday, April 23, where both teams are expected to bring renewed intensity in what promises to be a defining clash for the title.

     

     

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  • FEU battles for survival as UST eyes final spot in UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball Final Four

    FEU battles for survival as UST eyes final spot in UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball Final Four

    The UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball Final Four picture is heading into its most important stretch yet, with teams—UST Golden Tigresses, NU Lady Bulldogs, and FEU Lady Tamaraws locked in a tense battle where every set could reshape the postseason.


    At the center of it all is UST, which carries an 8-5 record into its 3 p.m. showdown at the Smart Araneta Coliseum against defending champion NU. A win seals the Golden Tigresses’ return to the Final Four putting them at the Final Four spot.

     

    UST is also trying to avoid getting dragged into a playoff scenario with FEU, which sits at 7-6 and still has a chance. 

     

    Lady Tamaraws must first take care of Ateneo, who is already out of contention at 2-11, then hope UST falls in order to force a knockout duel for the final semifinal slot.

     

    For NU, the stakes are just as sharp despite already securing a Final Four spot. The Lady Bulldogs, holding a 9-4 record, are looking to steady themselves after a missed opportunity to clinch a twice-to-beat advantage following a loss to La Salle. 

     

    A win over UST not only restores momentum but also strengthens their grip on the No. 2 seed.

    However, a NU loss opens the door to a complicated finish. Combined with a potential FEU win, the standings could tighten into a three-way 9-5 tie scenario where match points determine survival and seeding. 

     

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    NU and Adamson, both with strong match point totals would likely advance, but positioning could still shift, potentially forcing a playoff for the No. 2 seed while UST slips to fourth.

     

    In that case, UST would still have a path but a longer one—entering a stepladder scenario where it would face the loser of a NU–Adamson clash just to reach the semifinals against top-seeded La Salle.

     

    For NU assistant coach Yani Fernandez, the focus remains on regrouping after a narrow setback and sharpening execution at the most critical point of the season.

     

    UST, meanwhile, leans on its offensive leader Angge Poyos, who has emerged as the league’s second-best scorer behind Adamson’s Shai Nitura. She emphasized that finishing the elimination round will require a full-team effort rather than individual brilliance.

     

    NU’s camp, for its part, remains confident through veteran setter Arah Panique, who believes the Lady Bulldogs can recover quickly from their recent stumble and secure their preferred semifinal path.

     

    On the outside looking in, FEU’s victory over Ateneo keeps the door open, but only a UST collapse against NU can extend their season.

     

    For the Ateneo Blue Eagles, already out of Final Four contention at 2-11, the focus has shifted to finishing strong after finally snapping a long losing stretch earlier in the season.

     

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  • Cignal aims for Game 2 response after opening loss to Creamline in PVL AFC Finals 

    Cignal aims for Game 2 response after opening loss to Creamline in PVL AFC Finals 

    Game 1 didn’t just hand Creamline the lead—it brought back something more familiar. For a team long associated with dominance, the Cool Smashers didn’t merely win—they looked like themselves again. And that, more than anything, was what caught Cignal off guard.

     

    The straight-sets result, 25-22, 25-18, 25-16, told only part of the story. What unfolded at Smart Araneta Coliseum was less about one team faltering under the spotlight and more about another rediscovering its rhythm at the perfect time.

     

    Cignal entered the finals battle-tested, carrying the experience of past deep runs. But instead of being overwhelmed by the stage, the Super Spikers found themselves dealing with a version of Creamline that left little room to breathe.

     

    “Creamline really did their job. Maybe we were overwhelmed with how they played,” said Vanie Gandler, who still delivered 17 points and 10 receptions.

     

    Even head coach Shaq delos Santos pointed to execution—not nerves—as the defining factor.

    “[Naging struggle] ‘yung pag-handle namin ng pressure, mismo sa sarili namin. And siyempre, bukod sa ang ganda ng performance ng Creamline, ‘yun talaga ‘yung normal laro nila,” he said.

    That “normal” proved difficult to counter.

     

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    From crisp ball movement to disciplined defense, Creamline dictated the tempo early and never allowed Cignal to settle. Every run by the Super Spikers was met with a steadier, more composed response, slowly widening the gap between effort and outcome.

     

    Still, the emotional weight of the finals wasn’t entirely absent.

     

    “Mas naging excited kami na na-pressure dahil first time [ulit sa] championship, and grabe rin yung crowd. Sobrang sarap nga maglaro kanina but ‘yun nga, kinapos, kinulang, so accept lang natin,” delos Santos admitted.

     

    “Sila pa nga ‘yung usually nagsasabi na parang kahit lamang sila or kami ‘yung lamang, parang same feeling lang. But kanina, iba talaga raw ‘yung feeling nila and siyempre, nire-respect ko ‘yun dahil sila ‘yung naglalaro sa loob ng court.”

     

    For a team chasing its breakthrough, moments like these can either linger—or sharpen focus.

    Cignal is choosing the latter.

     

    With a must-win Game 2 ahead, the approach shifts from urgency to clarity. The goal isn’t to match Creamline’s energy, but to return to their own.

     

    “Sabi ko nga sa kanila, ‘wag niyong masyadong i-pressure ‘yung sarili niyo kasi mas gusto kong nailalaro natin kung ano ‘yung naging investment natin before, kung paano tayo nag-prepare,” delos Santos said.

     

    “Kaya nga tayo nakarating dito eh, so kailangan lumabas lang ‘yung totoong game natin and that’s it. Wala na tayong ibang pagsisisihan or pag-uusapan.”

     

    Gandler echoed that mindset, focusing on adjustment rather than frustration. “We’re approaching the loss with our heads up. Like I said, the championship series isn’t over and we know the lapses and what we did wrong, so we were able to concede,” she said.

    “That’s why we’re not dwelling on our loss today.”

     

    Despite the defeat, there were signs of resistance. Erika Santos added 10 points and 10 excellent digs, while Gel Cayuna contributed six points and 14 excellent sets—numbers that hint at potential, but fell short against a team firing on all cylinders.

     

    On the other side, Creamline’s balance made the difference. Jema Galanza led with 17 points, while Bernadeth Pons backed her up with 11 markers and 13 digs, reinforcing a system that thrived on both ends.

     

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  • UST eyes control, not chances, in Final Four push 

    UST eyes control, not chances, in Final Four push 

    For the University of Santo Tomas, the equation is simple—but the stakes are anything but. With the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball eliminations nearing their end, the Golden Tigresses find themselves in a position every team wants: a chance to decide their own fate. No dependence on other results, no scoreboard watching—just one match that could determine whether they move forward with certainty or face the chaos of a playoff.

     

    Standing in their way is National University, a team that has already secured its place in the next round. That alone makes the matchup tricky. NU has less to lose, while UST carries the urgency of a season hanging in the balance.

     

    Assistant coach Yanni Fernandez knows exactly what kind of challenge awaits.

     

    “Wednesday game? We’ll keep saying it. We’ll study NU eagerly,” assistant coach Yanni Fernandez said. “I think if we win, we’re sure for the Final Four and if not, there may be a playoff depending on FEU and Ateneo.”

     

    At 8-5, UST is perched just close enough to the semifinals to touch it—but not quite safe. A victory over the 9-4 Lady Bulldogs locks in their spot regardless of what happens in the FEU-Ateneo matchup. It’s the cleanest path forward, and the one they’re determined to take.

     

    Because the alternative is far less appealing. A loss, combined with a Far Eastern University win, would drag the Tigresses into a playoff for survival—a scenario that introduces unpredictability into a campaign that has already seen its share of ups and downs. For a team trying to build momentum at the right time, that’s a risk they’d rather not take. 

     

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    Fernandez made that message clear to his players, framing the moment as a test of both mindset and resolve.

     

    “We challenge these kids and ask them, do you want to have a playoff or do you want to take that spot ourselves?” he said. “It’s a challenge for this team to give their 101 percent on Wednesday.”

     

    But beyond qualification, there’s another layer to the stakes: positioning.

     

    With La Salle already holding an outright Finals berth, the remaining teams are left to navigate the stepladder format—a system where seeding can mean the difference between a shorter path to the championship or a grueling climb. A win by UST doesn’t just secure entry; it opens the door to a potential three-way tie with Adamson and NU at 9-5.

     

    In that scenario, UST still advances, but the battle for the second seed—and the crucial twice-to-beat incentive—would be settled in a playoff between the other contenders.

     

    It’s a reminder that Wednesday’s match isn’t just about staying alive. It’s about positioning for what comes next. 

     

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  • Farm Fresh Foxies shift from breakthrough to confidence, set sights on historic bronze finish 

    Farm Fresh Foxies shift from breakthrough to confidence, set sights on historic bronze finish 

    For the Farm Fresh Foxies, this conference was never just about reaching the Finals, it was about proving they belong.


    That message rang loud even after falling short against the powerhouse Creamline Cool Smashers in the semifinals, ending their Final Four campaign with a 1-2 record. 

     

    What could have been framed as a missed opportunity instead became a defining checkpoint for a team shedding its “up-and-coming” label.

     

    Veteran hitter Ces Molina saw something deeper in their run—growth forged under pressure.

    “I could say malungkot pero masaya rin ako kasi mas nakikita ko kung hanggang saan yung team namin, kung ano na yung nabibigay ng mga players and coaches sa liga na ‘to,” Molina said.

     

    “Maganda rin naman ‘yung pinakita namin, ‘yung run namin the whole conference. Masaya ako na maganda ‘yung binigay namin sa conference na ‘to, and I’m sure marami ring na-take ‘yung mga players, experiences sa liga na ‘to. Masaya ako na marami pang aabangan ‘yung mga fans, volleyball fans, from Farm Fresh.”

     

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    That optimism isn’t baseless as earlier in the conference, Farm Fresh stunned contenders and made history by reaching its first-ever PVL semifinals after a dominant straight-sets win over Nxled, 25-17, 25-20, 25-19—a breakthrough that signaled their arrival among the league’s elite.

     

    They even proved they could go toe-to-toe with top seeds, including a four-set semifinal upset of PLDT High Speed Hitters, 25-23, 18-25, 25-19, 25-23, to keep Finals hopes alive.

     

    Now, the narrative shifts once more. Instead of chasing validation, the Foxies are chasing hardware.

     

    Standing in their way anew is PLDT, the same team they’ve already beaten once—but one equally desperate to salvage its own campaign. For Molina, the difference won’t lie in tactics alone, but in desire.

     

    “We can never tell ngayon eh kasi siyempre, naghahabol din ng panalo si PLDT. Isa lang ‘yung sinabi ni Coach Koji na kung gano’ng kalaki gustong manalo, ‘yung willingness to win na manalo ni PLDT or kung sinuman mga kalaban namin, siyempre dapat mas bigger ‘yung willingness namin to win,” Farm Fresh Foxies’ Open Hitter said.

     

    That battle for third is set on April 21, 3:00 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, where Farm Fresh will try to secure its first-ever PVL podium finish. 

     

    Later that day, the Cignal HD Spikers and Creamline dispute the championship at 5:30 p.m.

    But beyond medals and match schedules, something more enduring is taking shape. Farm Fresh is no longer just building for the future—they are actively shaping the present. 

     

    With a deeper rotation, rising stars like Trisha Tubu delivering in clutch moments, and a system that continues to evolve under pressure, the Foxies are crafting an identity rooted in resilience and belief. 

     

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