Cignal bucked a slow start and dismantled Choco Mucho, 17-25, 25-22, 25-18, 25-14, to catch the last semifinal bus in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City Tuesday, Nov. 22.
The HD Spikers banked on a strong third-set performance that virtually ousted the Flying Titans to finish the preliminaries with four wins against three defeats.
Cignal only needed to win the match or lose in five sets to secure the remaining Final Four ticket.
They joined Creamline, Chery Tiggo and Petro Gazz in the round-robin semifinal starting on Thursday, Nov. 24.
Import Tai Bierria paced the HD Spikers with 18 points built on 14 kills and four blocks, while Ces Molina poured 12 attacks and one ace to finish with 13 points.
Facing a must-win situation in the third set, Choco Mucho came back to life and cut Cignal’s imposing 13-6 edge by firing five straight points for 13-11.
But the HD Spikers refused to be intimidated easily as Bierria and Molina attacked the Flying Titans’ defense on all angles to protect the lead en route to the set win.
It didn’t help that key players Kat Tolentino and Des Cheng went out on that frame after hurting their knee and pinky finger, respectively.
Cignal also relied on its rock-solid net defense after posting 14 blocks including five from Roselyn Doria against eight from Choco Mucho.
Choco Mucho finished its campaign with a 3-5 to tie with Akari despite the efforts of Cheng and Tolentino, who led with 15 and nine points.