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Tag: Cignal Super Spikers

  • Vanie Gandler relishes Cignal’s breakthrough win against rival Creamline

    Vanie Gandler relishes Cignal’s breakthrough win against rival Creamline

    For Cignal, beating Creamline was never just about one match. It was about finally breaking through in the kind of game that had repeatedly slipped away from the Super Spikers in the past.


    On Thursday night, that burden was still there, but this time it did not define the ending. Instead, Vanie Gandler turned those painful memories into motivation and helped power Cignal to a breakthrough 25-21, 24-26, 18-25, 25-22, 17-15 victory to clinch a semifinal berth in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference.

     

    It was more than just a win. For a team that had endured too many close losses in crucial moments, it felt like a release.

     

    Cignal had already experienced this exact kind of heartbreak before, especially against Creamline. Just five days earlier, the Super Spikers had dropped another painful five-set match to the Cool Smashers to close the preliminaries, making Thursday’s rematch feel even heavier.

     

    That recent loss, along with others before it, stayed with Vanie Gandler heading into the match.

    “We know how painful it is to lose our crucial games. We’ve been through it so many times,” she said during the post-game press conference.

     

    “So, I think that’s what we all always hold in our hearts, and we use that as our motivation to really fight with one another.”

     

    That mindset showed when the match began to tighten. Even as Creamline made its expected late push, Cignal stayed composed and refused to unravel in another high-pressure finish.

    At the center of that steadiness was Gandler, who once again showed that her value goes far beyond scoring. She finished with 22 points, 28 excellent receptions, and 13 digs, delivering one of her most complete performances of the conference.

     

    Whether it was stabilizing the floor, keeping rallies alive, or scoring in key stretches, Gandler remained at the heart of everything Cignal was trying to do.

     

    She also had plenty of help. Erika Santos provided the scoring punch with 26 points, while Gel Cayuna expertly ran the offense with 35 excellent sets and added 11 points of her own.

     

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    Together, they gave Cignal the balance and poise it has often searched for in pressure games against top-level opponents.

     

    The win became even more impressive considering the setting. The Smart Araneta Coliseum crowd heavily favored Creamline, but Gandler said the atmosphere barely registered once the match settled into its tense rhythm.

     

    “In matches like this, sometimes you’re so focused on the court. Sometimes, it’s scarier to be on the bench,” she said. “You don’t even notice anymore what’s going on because you’re so focused on what you need to do.”

     

    That focus mattered most in the fifth set, where Cignal had to survive multiple moments that could have broken them. The Super Spikers needed four match points before finally putting Creamline away, with the Cool Smashers repeatedly refusing to let the match end.

     

    That was what made the breakthrough feel so meaningful. In the kind of finish that had hurt them before, Cignal finally became the team that stayed upright long enough to finish the job.

     

    For a team that has often looked capable of contending but struggled to close the biggest matches, Thursday’s result may mean more than just a place in the semifinals. It may also be proof that the Super Spikers are finally learning how to win the matches that used to break them.

     

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  • Gel Cayuna backs up bold promise in Cignal’s win over Creamline

    Gel Cayuna backs up bold promise in Cignal’s win over Creamline

    The Cignal Super Spikers punched their ticket to the semifinals of the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference after outlasting the Creamline Cool Smashers in a thrilling five-set battle, 21-25, 26-24, 25-18, 22-25, 15-17, during the Qualifying Round on Thursday, March 26, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

     

    In a match that showcased resilience, tactical discipline, and star power on both sides, Cignal leaned on a total team effort to overcome the league’s perennial contenders. The victory not only secured their place in the semifinals but also underscored their growing confidence as the tournament enters its final stretch.

     

    Leading the charge was Erika Santos, who delivered a standout performance with 26 points built on 23 attacks, two blocks, and an ace. Santos consistently provided the offensive spark, stepping up in crucial moments to keep Cignal within striking distance throughout the tightly contested encounter.

     

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    Backing her up was Vanie Gandler, who turned in an all-around performance with 22 points, while anchoring the team’s floor defense with 28 excellent receptions and 13 digs. Her stability in both offense and defense proved vital in neutralizing Creamline’s relentless attacks.

     

    However, the defining presence on the court came from setter Gel Cayuna, who masterfully orchestrated Cignal’s offense. Cayuna tallied 35 excellent sets while also contributing 11 points, effectively controlling the tempo and ensuring her hitters were put in the best positions to score. Her performance was particularly remarkable given the expectations she had set for herself prior to the match.

    Cayuna had confidently declared before the game that she aimed to register at least 30 excellent sets and reach double digits in scoring against Creamline—a goal she ultimately fulfilled in emphatic fashion.

     

    “Coach asked us about our goals, like how many excellent sets and points we wanted. I said 30 plus sets and double digits in scoring – so I’m glad I was able to achieve that,” Cayuna said in the postmatch press conference.

     

    Beyond individual achievements, the victory was a testament to Cignal’s preparation and collective resolve following their previous outing. The team showed marked improvements in execution, particularly in crucial stretches where composure often spells the difference between victory and defeat.

     

    “We finally felt relieved because we learned a lot from our last game. Our preparation was intense. We really studied Creamline so we could win today. I’m just really happy because everyone held on and fought. Even the coaches put in so much effort to win this game. We are happy, but we will keep working as we head into the semifinals,” she added.

     

    Cignal head coach Shaq Delos Santos echoed Cayuna’s sentiments, praising his squad’s discipline and commitment to the game plan. For Delos Santos, the win was a clear reflection of how well his players embraced their roles and executed under pressure.

     

    “They really committed because I told them to focus on our intention – what we needed to do to win. They executed exactly what we asked from them, so I’m really happy and proud that they were able to do it,” Delos Santos continued.

     

    With momentum on their side, the Super Spikers now shift their focus to the semifinals, where tougher challenges await. If their performance against Creamline is any indication, Cignal is peaking at the right time—and shaping up to be a serious contender for the championship.

     

     

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  • PLDT, Cignal secure PVL semis berths as Creamline, Farm Fresh fall to Play-In

    PLDT, Cignal secure PVL semis berths as Creamline, Farm Fresh fall to Play-In

    On a night where every point carried added weight, PLDT and Cignal proved they were the teams best equipped to handle the pressure. With outright semifinal berths at stake in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference, both contenders found different ways to survive and advance at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Thursday.

     

    By the end of the doubleheader, the playoff picture had changed significantly. PLDT and Cignal earned direct passage into the round-robin semifinals, while Creamline and Farm Fresh were pushed into the more dangerous play-in stage, where there is far less room for error.

     

    PLDT booked the first semifinal seat after recovering from a sluggish opening to defeat Farm Fresh in four sets, 18-25, 25-23, 25-15, 25-22. The High Speed Hitters looked vulnerable early, struggling to match the Foxies’ sharp execution and energy in the first set, but gradually imposed their rhythm as the match wore on.

     

    The second set proved to be the turning point. Farm Fresh stayed aggressive and nearly carried its momentum into a 2-0 lead, but PLDT held firm just long enough to escape with a narrow 25-23 win. That frame not only leveled the match but also shifted the emotional balance of the contest in PLDT’s favor.

     

    From there, the top-seeded High Speed Hitters began to resemble the team that topped the preliminaries. The third set became their most dominant stretch of the match, highlighted by a stunning 16-3 run that transformed a 9-12 deficit into a commanding 25-15 set win and a 2-1 lead.

     

    That burst was a reflection of PLDT at its best — disciplined, composed, and relentless once its system fully clicks. The High Speed Hitters carried that control into the fourth set, where they slowly separated from Farm Fresh and built what appeared to be a comfortable 23-17 advantage.

     

    But the Foxies refused to let the match end quietly. Behind the efforts of Ces Molina and Trisha Tubu, Farm Fresh launched a late 5-1 rally that cut the deficit to 22-24, putting PLDT under pressure one final time and briefly opening the door for another dramatic turn.

     

    That made Savannah Davison’s response all the more important. After committing back-to-back errors that helped fuel Farm Fresh’s late push, Davison bounced back and delivered the finishing play that finally sealed the victory after one hour and 48 minutes.

     

    Davison led PLDT with 22 points on 17 attacks and five kill blocks, while also contributing 11 excellent receptions in a performance that showcased her all-around value. Kianna Dy added 19 points, while Majoy Baron and Alleiah Malaluan also finished in double figures with 11 and 10 points, respectively.

     

    PLDT’s balance was just as evident in the supporting departments. Kim Fajardo expertly ran the offense with 28 excellent sets and two points, while Kath Arado once again anchored the floor with a defensive masterclass of 27 excellent receptions, 18 excellent digs, and a point of her own.

     

    For Farm Fresh, the loss was disappointing but hardly discouraging. The Foxies showed enough fight and quality to remind everyone that their rise this conference has not been accidental. They pushed the top seed into difficult moments and stayed dangerous all the way to the closing stretch.

     

    Trisha Tubu carried much of that fight, finishing with a game-high 25 points on 22 attacks and three blocks. Ces Molina backed her up with a 14-point, 11-dig double-double, while Royse Tubino contributed 10 points and 16 excellent receptions in another solid outing.

     

    With the defeat, Farm Fresh drops to the play-in round, where it will face either Nxled or Galeries Tower for another chance to make the semifinals. It is a tougher road, but one the Foxies have already shown they are capable of navigating.

     

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    If PLDT’s win was about reestablishing control, Cignal’s triumph over Creamline was about surviving a storm. In the nightcap, the Super Spikers outlasted the Cool Smashers in a gripping five-set showdown, 25-21, 24-26, 18-25, 25-22, 17-15, to claim the second outright semifinal berth.

     

    The victory carried extra meaning for Cignal. Just five days after suffering a heartbreaking five-set loss to Creamline to close the preliminaries, the Super Spikers returned to the same matchup with unfinished business and found a way to finally settle it.

     

    Cignal looked in command after taking the first set, but Creamline’s championship poise soon took over. The Cool Smashers recovered to win the next two sets and appeared poised to complete yet another comeback, forcing the Super Spikers into a difficult position late in the match.

     

    This time, though, Cignal did not fold. The Super Spikers regrouped in the fourth set, rediscovered their rhythm, and pushed the match into a decider that became the longest — and perhaps most dramatic — contest of the conference so far at two hours and 30 minutes.

     

    At the center of that turnaround was Gel Cayuna, who masterfully orchestrated Cignal’s attack with 35 excellent sets while also scoring 11 points. Her steady play gave the Super Spikers much-needed control during the match’s most chaotic stretches.

     

    She was joined by two equally vital scorers. Erika Santos rediscovered her offensive rhythm and erupted for a game-high 26 points, while Vanie Gandler delivered a monster triple-double effort of 22 points, 28 excellent receptions, and 13 excellent digs in one of the conference’s most complete individual performances.

     

    Still, Creamline nearly found a way to steal the match in the end. Faced with two match points, the Cool Smashers leaned on the same grit and composure that built their dynasty, clawing back behind Tots Carlos and forcing the deciding set into a tense deadlock at 15-all.

     

    The closing stretch became a test of nerve more than execution, with both teams trading pressure-packed points and refusing to blink. But in the end, it was Cignal that managed to stay cleaner in the biggest moments.

     

    A Jeanette Panaga service error gave the Super Spikers a crucial edge, and on the next sequence, Alyssa Valdez’s attack was ruled out after Creamline challenged for a possible block touch. The review upheld the call, handing Cignal the dramatic victory and a long-awaited return to the semifinals.

     

    Creamline’s defeat was especially painful because several of its stars still produced strong performances. Bernadeth Pons, returning from a two-game absence, led the team with 20 points, while Valdez once again delivered across multiple fronts with 18 points, 19 excellent digs, and 20 excellent receptions.

     

    Panaga added 14 points, while Carlos and Bea De Leon chipped in 12 and 11 points, respectively. But despite the depth of those contributions, the Cool Smashers ultimately came up just short in the kind of match that often turns on one or two late mistakes.

     

    Now, the path forward is much clearer — and much harsher for some. PLDT and Cignal move on with the luxury of direct semifinal entry, while Creamline and Farm Fresh must now survive the uncertainty of the play-in round to keep their title hopes alive.

     

    Thursday’s results did more than fill two semifinal spots. They also drew a sharp line between the teams that created breathing room for themselves and the ones now forced to keep fighting just to stay in the race.

     

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  • PVL Qualifying Round: PLDT, Farm Fresh, Creamline, Cignal fight for direct semis entry

    PVL Qualifying Round: PLDT, Farm Fresh, Creamline, Cignal fight for direct semis entry

    The road to the PVL All-Filipino Conference semifinals has been long, demanding, and at times unforgiving. But on Thursday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, all of that gets reduced to something much simpler: survive, advance, and move one step closer to the title.

     

    After seven grueling weeks of preliminaries and a pressure-filled Play-In stage, the tournament now arrives at a point where every rally carries more weight. The possibilities have narrowed, and the margin for error has become even thinner.

     

    Two coveted outright semifinal berths are up for grabs as the league’s top four teams collide in a pair of high-stakes clashes. PLDT takes on Farm Fresh at 4 p.m., while Creamline and Cignal renew their rivalry at 6:30 p.m. in a rematch that already carries unfinished business.

     

    What makes Thursday feel different is that these are no longer just matches about form or momentum. They are about positioning, survival, and avoiding the dangerous detour that awaits the losers in a longer and more complicated route to the Final Four.

     

    That pressure may be felt most in the nightcap, where Creamline once again finds itself under the brightest spotlight. The Cool Smashers managed to stay inside the Top 4 and avoid the chaos of the Play-In phase, but their path has hardly looked smooth or secure.

     

    For a team that has long been defined by control and composure, this conference has demanded something else: resilience. Creamline has had to adjust on the fly, navigate injuries, and win games without always looking like the polished powerhouse it once was.

     

    And yet, when the stakes rose, Alyssa Valdez delivered. Her triple-double outing in their previous win over Cignal was not just a throwback performance — it was a reminder that Creamline still has enough firepower and poise to respond when the pressure starts to build.

     

    For Valdez, though, the bigger message goes beyond any individual stat line or performance. What matters most to her is making sure the team continues to hold together through the uncertainty.

     

    “I think every game, it’s more of a reminder for myself and for the team that we’re still here,” said Valdez. “I don’t think, parang if there’s something to motivate myself, ang hirap din to actually just think of other people.”

     

    “So ngayon, parang ako, iniisip ko talaga, it’s a reminder na kaya pa. I’ll just do my part in practice at pag kailangan, tutulong tayo. It’s not more of trying to prove anything but trying to stick together and making sure sa sarili ko at sa team na magkakasama kami,” she added.

     

    That mindset may best define where Creamline stands entering this next challenge. This is not a team trying to prove dominance anymore. It is a team trying to remain whole, dangerous, and capable of winning while not always being at full strength.

     

    The uncertainty surrounding Bernadette Pons and Jema Galanza only adds to the tension. Even if both suit up, there are still fair questions about rhythm, chemistry, and how quickly the Cool Smashers can settle into a stable rotation in such an important match.

     

    That is exactly why Cignal enters with reason to believe. The HD Spikers, led by Vanie Gandler and Erika Santos, are no longer simply trying to hang around with Creamline — they are beginning to look like a team that believes it can finally break through.

     

    That belief has been building steadily, especially after pushing the Cool Smashers to the limit in their recent five-set battle. Cignal’s more balanced attack and growing cohesion have made them one of the trickiest teams left in the field.

     

    If the Creamline-Cignal showdown feels like a battle of legacy and pressure, the PLDT-Farm Fresh matchup offers a different kind of tension. One side is expected to win. The other is starting to enjoy making people uncomfortable. 

     

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    On paper, PLDT remains the most complete and structurally polished team in the conference. With Savi Davison, Kim Dy, Mika Reyes, Majoy Baron, Alleiah Malaluan, and Kim Fajardo steering the system, the High Speed Hitters have looked like a team built specifically for moments like this.

     

    But if there is one lesson from this conference that should not be ignored, it is that Farm Fresh has outgrown the label of underdog. The Foxies have become too disciplined, too dangerous, and too confident to be treated as a feel-good surprise.

     

    Their previous five-set push against PLDT served as more than just a close call. It was proof that they can match the top seed not only in energy, but in execution and nerve when matches become tight.

     

    At the center of that rise is Trisha Tubu, whose scoring has given Farm Fresh a reliable offensive weapon. Around her is a veteran core of Ces Molina, Royse Tubino, Riri Meneses, Mylene Paat, and Ara Galang, all of whom have helped give the team both toughness and stability.

     

    For Molina, their growth has been rooted less in talent and more in the chemistry they have worked hard to build. In a tournament where every edge matters, that connection has quietly become one of Farm Fresh’s biggest strengths.

     

    “Well, lahat naman ng teams nag-iimprove. Walang easy eam na sa tingin mong matatalo mo talaga. So talagang paghirapan mo,” said Molina, whose veteran presence and firepower – along with Tubino, Paat and Galang – have helped position the Foxies as the team most capable of shaking up the established order.

     

    She also pointed to the team’s developing trust as a key part of their rise this conference. For Farm Fresh, the progress has not only been about systems or lineups, but about understanding each other in the moments that matter most.

     

    “’Yun nga ‘yung sinasabi ni coach Koji (Tsuzurabara) palagi na tignan mo ‘yung kasama mo sa mata doon mo mabubuo ‘yung teamwork niyo eh. I think ‘yung team nakukuha na namin ‘yung ganoon eh, ‘yung isang tingin palang nagki-click na kami, talagang tinatrabaho namin ‘yung chemistry. Kasi ‘yun ‘yung pinakamahirap para sa isang bagong team ulit para magsimula,”

     

    The winners on Thursday will earn something more valuable than just momentum. 

     

    They will claim a direct path into the Final Four, giving themselves not just a better position in the bracket, but also breathing room in a tournament that has already demanded so much physically and emotionally.

     

    The losers will still have life left, but their road becomes more dangerous. Instead of advancing directly, they will have to survive another hurdle against the teams emerging from the Play-In stage.

     

    That means Thursday is not quite do-or-die — but it is close enough to feel like it. And with a roaring crowd expected at Araneta, both matches carry all the ingredients of defining postseason volleyball. 

     

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  • PLDT, Cignal, Creamline, Farm Fresh complete PVL All-Filipino Qualifying Round cast

    PLDT, Cignal, Creamline, Farm Fresh complete PVL All-Filipino Qualifying Round cast

    After a chaotic and tightly contested preliminary phase, the PLDT High Speed Hitters, Cignal HD Spikers, Creamline Cool Smashers, and Farm Fresh Foxies have emerged as the final cast for the qualifying round of the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.

     

    Two outright semifinal spots now hang in the balance as the quartet prepares for a pair of knockout clashes on Thursday, with PLDT facing Farm Fresh and Cignal set to run it back against Creamline.

     

    Creamline booked the final ticket in dramatic fashion, surviving an undermanned lineup and a relentless challenge from Cignal in a gripping five-set duel, 25-19, 25-20, 15-25, 26-28, 16-14, before a packed crowd at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.

     

    In a deciding set that saw momentum swing wildly, the Cool Smashers leaned on composure and experience. Bea De Leon delivered the decisive moment, denying Jewel Encarnacion at the net to end a nerve-wracking contest and push Creamline into the next phase as the No. 3 seed.

     

    A key factor in Creamline’s late surge was Alyssa Valdez, whose impact went beyond numbers and into momentum-shifting performances. When given extended playing time, Valdez delivered 14 points in one outing and followed it up with a 21-point performance anchored by 13 excellent receptions and digs. Her all-around brilliance powered Creamline to back-to-back wins to close the preliminaries, ultimately earning her PVL Player of the Week honors and helping secure their spot in the qualifying round.

     

    That result sets up an immediate rematch, with Creamline facing No. 2 Cignal once more—this time with a semifinal berth on the line.

     

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    If Creamline’s entry was defined by grit, Farm Fresh’s was built on authority. What had been expected as a tight, down-to-the-wire clash for a Top Four berth instead turned into a statement performance, as the Foxies dismantled the streaking Akari Power Chargers, 25-19, 25-14, 23-25, 25-17, at the same venue.


    The emphatic win not only snapped Akari’s momentum but also secured Farm Fresh the No. 4 seed, allowing them to edge out both the Nxled Chameleons and Akari in a tightly contested tiebreak for the final qualifying spot.

     

    Meanwhile, PLDT’s path to the top seed was shaped long before the final stretch. Even after absorbing a late setback against Nxled, the High Speed Hitters’ body of work had already established their position. A four-game winning streak to open the conference, followed by another three-game surge after a loss to Cignal, laid the foundation for their rise.

     

    Those runs were not built on easy wins either. PLDT took down heavyweight contenders such as Creamline, the Choco Mucho Flying Titans, and Farm Fresh along the way—victories that ultimately defined their push for the No. 1 ranking heading into the qualifying round.

     

    While the spotlight now shifts to the quarterfinalists, the battle continues for those left behind. Nxled finished fifth and Akari sixth, sending both teams to the Play-In stage along with the rest of the lower-ranked squads. The Chameleons will headline Group I with the Capital1 Solar Spikers and the Galeries Tower Highrisers, while Akari joins Choco Mucho and the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles in Group II.

     

    From there, the path only gets tougher, with the Play-In winners still needing to defeat the losers of the qualifying round matches to complete the Final Four.

     

    For now, however, the focus is set on four teams with everything still within reach. By the end of the week, only two will move forward—but all four have already shown why they belong.

     

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  • Vanie Gandler keeps Cignal focused as Super Spikers chase elusive PVL title

    Vanie Gandler keeps Cignal focused as Super Spikers chase elusive PVL title

    Momentum has been building for Cignal in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference, but the Super Spikers are making sure it doesn’t turn into complacency.

     

    Fresh off a convincing straight-sets win over ZUS Coffee, Cignal strengthened its standing in the tournament with a 5-2 record, good for solo third place behind the early leaders PLDT and Creamline. The victory further highlighted the team’s growing confidence as the race for playoff positioning tightens.

     

    Still, the Super Spikers understand that a strong record in the preliminary round guarantees nothing in a conference where the format ensures every team remains in the hunt.

     

    “We know that no one is safe, even though we started the conference strongly. We know that we’re not safe because everyone has wins, everyone has losses. And now is not the time for us to relax,” said Cignal ace Vanie Gandler after their 25-18, 25-23, 25-22 win over ZUS Coffee.

     

    Under the tournament’s format, the top four teams after the preliminary phase advance to the qualifying round. From there, two teams will secure outright spots in the semifinals, while the losing sides are given another chance by facing the Play-In winners.

     

    The Play-In stage gives teams ranked fifth to tenth a lifeline, splitting them into two groups of three where the group winners will challenge the qualifying round losers for the final semifinal slots. 

     

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    With so many twists built into the path toward the championship, every win remains crucial — a reality not lost on the Super Spikers as they continue their steady climb.

     

    For Cignal, the stakes are even higher given the franchise’s long pursuit of a championship breakthrough. Despite being one of the league’s consistent contenders, the team has yet to capture the top prize, settling for two runner-up finishes and five third-place results in previous conferences.

     

    That unfinished mission continues to drive the squad, especially Gandler, who has emerged as the team’s offensive leader this conference with a 16.7-point average, and with 117 total points which makes her the 4th best scorer this conference. 

     

    “My goal for myself is to be able to help Cignal win the championship. That’s it,” she declared.

    With five wins already in their pocket and the team finding its rhythm, the Super Spikers are determined to keep building momentum as the competition intensifies.

     

    Cignal will have time to regroup before returning to the court on March 14 against Capital1, before wrapping up its preliminary round campaign in a highly anticipated showdown against Creamline in March. 

     

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  • PLDT survives Farm Fresh in five-set thriller; Cignal sweeps ZUS Coffee in PVL action

    PLDT survives Farm Fresh in five-set thriller; Cignal sweeps ZUS Coffee in PVL action

    PLDT proved it could win ugly when it mattered most.

     

    The High Speed Hitters endured a tense five-set battle before finally shaking off a stubborn Farm Fresh side, 25-17, 23-25, 27-25, 21-25, 15-10, to seize the solo lead in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Thursday at the Playtime Filoil Centre.

     

    With the win, PLDT improved to 5-1 and moved past sister team Cignal at the top of the standings.

    But the victory hardly came easy.

     

    After taking the opening set with relative comfort, the High Speed Hitters were repeatedly pushed to the brink by the Foxies, who refused to fade despite facing a deeper and more experienced lineup.

     

    Farm Fresh answered every surge. It stole the second set, stretched the third into an extended duel, and forced a decider by outlasting PLDT again in the fourth.

     

    The High Speed Hitters finally regained control when it mattered most.

     

    Savi Davison sparked the decisive run in the fifth frame, scoring back-to-back points before Jessey De Leon and Angge Alcantara followed with key contributions in a 4-0 burst that pushed PLDT to match point at 14-9.

     

    After an Alcantara service error briefly delayed the finish, Davison slammed a crosscourt kill to seal the victory and cap a dominant individual outing.

     

    Davison finished with 32 points built on 28 attacks, three blocks, and one ace, while Kianna Dy added 19 markers as PLDT leaned on its firepower.

     

    Despite committing a game-high 30 errors, the High Speed Hitters made up for it with superior offense, dominating Farm Fresh in attacks, 74-59, and blocks, 14-7.

     

    On the other side, Ria Meneses led the Foxies with 17 points, while Trisha Tubu and Ces Molina chipped in 16 and 14, respectively.

     

    Farm Fresh slipped to 2-4 after dropping its second straight five-set heartbreaker and will try to regroup when it faces Choco Mucho on March 10. PLDT, meanwhile, takes on Galeries Tower on the same day at the same San Juan venue.

     

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    Earlier, Cignal bounced back emphatically from its previous loss, sweeping ZUS Coffee, 25-18, 25-23, 25-22, to stay within striking distance in the standings.

     

    The Super Spikers improved to 5-2, reclaiming their rhythm while handing the Thunderbelles their fourth straight defeat.

     

    Cignal seized control in the second set behind an unlikely source.

     

    With the frame tied at 23, veteran setter Gel Cayuna stepped up not with her playmaking but with timely scoring. She first rejected Cess Robles at the net for set point before finishing the set herself with a through-the-block hit in an out-of-system play to give Cignal a commanding 2-0 lead.

     

    ZUS Coffee tried to mount a comeback in the third, building a 15-11 cushion, but the Super Spikers showed their poise down the stretch.

     

    Vanie Gandler led the response, delivering four of Cignal’s final six points as the Super Spikers closed out the match in one hour and 26 minutes.

     

    Rose Doria-Aquino added 11 points on nine attacks and two blocks, while Erika Santos and Jackie Acuña chipped in nine and eight points, respectively.

     

    The Thunderbelles, who dropped to 1-6 in the tournament, were led by Thea Gagate and Chinnie Arroyo with 11 points each.

     

    Cignal returns to action on March 14 against Capital1, while ZUS Coffee looks to halt its slide when it faces Nxled next Thursday at the same venue.

     

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  • Cignal reclaims top spot after sweep of PLDT  powered by Gel Cayuna’s all-around play 

    Cignal reclaims top spot after sweep of PLDT  powered by Gel Cayuna’s all-around play 

    Momentum in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference has proven fragile—and on Tuesday night, Cignal reminded everyone just how quickly the standings can shift.

    Reasserting its composure after a recent stumble, the Cignal Super Spikers delivered one of their most disciplined performances of the conference, dismantling the PLDT High Speed Hitters, 25-21, 25-19, 25-23, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.

     

    But beyond the sweep, the result carried deeper implications: the race to the semifinals is now fully open.

     

    With PLDT absorbing its first defeat after building early momentum, no team remains in position for a clean preliminary-round run. The path to an outright Final Four berth—once seemingly within reach for select contenders—has turned into a week-to-week grind where consistency outweighs streaks.

     

    Cignal, meanwhile, continues to show a curious pattern: regardless of form or circumstance, it repeatedly finds ways to neutralize PLDT.

     

    This latest victory echoed their upset sweep of the High Speed Hitters in last season’s Reinforced Conference, reinforcing a matchup dynamic that has quietly tilted in Cignal’s favor.

     

    At the center of the Super Spikers’ control was setter Gel Cayuna, who blended orchestration and opportunistic scoring to dictate the match’s rhythm. Cayuna finished with 18 excellent sets and nine points, repeatedly catching PLDT off guard with her signature 1-2 plays while maintaining balance across Cignal’s attacking options.

     

    She credited their composure and discipline for the dominant showing.“Sinunod lang namin ang game plan at strategy ni coach,” said Cayuna, referring to coach Shaq Delos Santos after earning Best Player of the Game honors. “Sa apat na games, natutunan na naming i-control ang sarili namin, lalo na sa mga dikitang laban (We simply followed coach Shaq’s game plan and strategy. In our past four games, we’ve learned how to control ourselves better, especially in tight matches).”

     

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    Used to playing a dual role as playmaker and scorer, Cayuna said her aggressiveness comes naturally—but it’s made possible by the trust within the team.

     

    “Sanay na akong mag-contribute kung saan kailangan,” she added. “Pero nagagawa ko iyon dahil sa suporta ng mga teammates ko (I’m used to contributing wherever I’m needed. But I’m able to do that because of my teammates’ support).”

     

    While Cayuna controlled tempo, Cignal’s offensive depth steadily wore PLDT down. Erika Santos led the scoring charge with 17 points, supported by Vanie Gandler with 14. Contributions from Ishie Lalongisip, Roselyn Aquino, and Jackie Acuña ensured Cignal maintained pressure across rotations.

     

    Equally crucial was the defensive stability anchored by Dawn Catindig, whose floor coverage disrupted PLDT’s rhythm and fueled transition scoring.

     

    Cignal outgunned PLDT in total attacks, 48-39, and exploited reception lapses to produce six service aces—small advantages that compounded over the course of the match.

     

    PLDT still showed flashes of resistance. Savi Davison paced the High Speed Hitters with 14 points, while Kim Dy added 11. Alleiah Malaluan and Mika Reyes chipped in eight and seven markers, respectively.

     

    Their late push in the third set nearly extended the match after trimming a six-point deficit to one, but Cignal responded with composed shot-making—highlighted by Santos’ clutch off-the-block hits before Cayuna sealed the contest with a perfectly timed setter dump.

     

    PLDT challenged the final play for a net violation, but the call stood, confirming another straight-sets victory for Cignal. 

     

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  • Tight race brewing in All-Filipino Conference as Creamline, Cignal, and Nxled surge while PLDT looks to stay unbeaten 

    Tight race brewing in All-Filipino Conference as Creamline, Cignal, and Nxled surge while PLDT looks to stay unbeaten 

    The early landscape of the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference is beginning to take shape, and it’s turning into a tightly packed race where consistency is quickly becoming the difference-maker.

     

    At the center of the latest shake-up was the clinical performance of the Creamline Cool Smashers, who neutralized nearly every scoring option of the Capital1 Solar Spikers except standout rookie Bella Belen, completing a 25-18, 26-24, 25-20 sweep Saturday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.

     

    Creamline’s disciplined system play and defensive structure forced Capital1 into long rallies while limiting second-chance opportunities at the net. The Cool Smashers improved to 3–1, reinforcing their reputation as one of the conference’s most structured teams built around ball control and veteran composure.

     

    Despite the loss, Capital1 continues to show flashes of promise behind Belen’s scoring surge, highlighting the team’s transition toward a youth-driven core that is still learning how to close out tight sets against established contenders.

     

    While Creamline tightened its grip near the top, the Cignal HD Spikers quietly built momentum of their own.

     

    Cignal extended its winning record to three games after dismantling the Nxled Chameleons, 25-21, 25-17, 25-21, at the PhilSports Arena, showcasing improved offensive balance and sharper blocking rotations.

     

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    The surge placed the HD Spikers in a crowded upper tier alongside the Choco Mucho Flying Titans and Creamline, underscoring how quickly momentum swings can reshape the standings in the short elimination format.

     

    Cignal’s recent run has been anchored on faster tempo offense and improved floor defense—two areas the team struggled with earlier in the conference.

     

    Even with multiple teams gaining traction, the PLDT High Speed Hitters remain the standard so far.

     

    Sitting alone at the top with a 3–0 record, PLDT has combined aggressive net defense with efficient transition scoring, allowing the High Speed Hitters to control matches without needing extended five-set battles. Their depth and physicality have made them one of the most balanced squads in the tournament’s opening stretch.

     

    What’s becoming increasingly clear is that the All-Filipino Conference is trending toward a parity-heavy race. Traditional contenders like Creamline and Cignal are beginning to settle into form, while emerging teams such as Nxled and Capital1 are proving capable of disrupting matchups on any given day. 

     

    With the elimination round still unfolding, every match is carrying added weight—not just for positioning, but for momentum heading into the crucial playoff phase.

     

    If the early results are any indication, the battle for the top seed—and the psychological edge that comes with it—may go down to the final weeks of the eliminations. 

     

    Nxled will hunt for their fourth win of the season on Tuesday, 4PM against Akari. Cignal will look to blemish PLDT’s unbeaten record at the 630PM headliner match. 

     

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  • Vanie Gandler, Erika Santos shine as Cignal remains unbeaten in PVL All-Filipino Conference

    Vanie Gandler, Erika Santos shine as Cignal remains unbeaten in PVL All-Filipino Conference

    Cignal Super Spikers are off to a flying start in the PVL All-Filipino Conference, boasting a perfect 3-0 record, and much of the credit goes to the team’s dynamic duo: Vanessa Gandler and Erika Mae Santos. 


    Both players have made a strong statement, ranking among the league’s top five scorers while also breaking into the top 10 best spikers list, demonstrating not just firepower but also remarkable efficiency and versatility.

     

    Gandler leads the Super Spikers with 55 points so far this season. The 5-foot-9 outside spiker has tallied 51 spikes on 148 attempts, converting 34.46% of her attacks with zero faults, complemented by four additional points from other shots. 

     

    Santos is right behind with 46 points, converting 38 spikes out of 108 attempts for a 35.19% success rate, along with six faults and two successful shots. Together, their 101 points account for the backbone of Cignal’s offense, underscoring their central role in the team’s unbeaten start.

     

    Cignal opened the season with a dominant 3-0 sweep over Galeries Tower HighRisers, taking sets 25-17, 25-14, and 25-11. Gandler contributed 14 points, combining precise spikes and strong floor coverage, while Santos added 13 points, using her quick attacks and blocks to keep the HighRisers off balance.

     

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    In their second game against powerhouse Choco Mucho, the Super Spikers showed resilience in a 3-1 win (25-20, 18-19, 25-16, 25-25). Gandler tallied 16 points, delivering sharp attacks from the wings and solid passing that kept Cignal’s offense fluid. Santos turned in one of her standout performances, scoring 18 points, including two blocks and two aces, demonstrating her all-around threat at the net.

     

    Their latest win came against Farm Fresh, another 3-1 victory with sets of 17-25, 24-28, 25-20, and 28-30. Gandler’s triple-double performance stole the spotlight with 25 points, 14 excellent digs, and 15 excellent receptions, showing why she’s a nightmare for opposing defenses. Santos contributed 15 points with two blocks, consistently applying pressure at the net and keeping the team’s rhythm intact.

     

    Beyond their scoring, both players have been critical in other areas—Gandler’s court vision and defensive coverage, combined with Santos’ timing in blocks and efficient spike conversion, make them a well-rounded duo few teams can contain. Santos ranks seventh among the best spikers this conference, while Gandler is eighth, reinforcing their status as elite attackers.

     

    With Gandler and Santos leading the way, Cignal has established itself as a formidable team this season. 

     

    Their combination of scoring, attacking efficiency, and defensive contributions has been the driving force behind Cignal’s perfect 3-0 record, making the Super Spikers a squad to watch as the PVL All-Filipino Conference heats up, the Super Spikers will look to extend their streak against the Nxled Chameleons this Saturday scheduled for 6:30PM. 

     

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