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Tag: Gel Cayuna

  • 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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  • 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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