Cignal survived PLDT’s suffocating defense with a 25-16, 20-25, 25-21, 25-20 victory to jumpstart its title campaign in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, Oct. 15.

Ces Molina carried the cudgels for the HD Spikers by unloading all her 20 points on attacks to join the Nxled Chameleons in the winning column.

Though playing without veterans Rachel Anne Daquis and Jovelyn Gonzaga, Cignal still came through with tough plays that challenged its equally strong rival boasting of a Fil-Canadian recruit in Savannah Davison.

Davison, who played for the University of Oklahoma and the New Mexico State University in the US NCAA, steered PLDT in the second frame with her powerful kills.

But Molina and her teammates outshone Davison’s efforts in the next two frames

Particularly in the third, where the HD Spikers unlocked themselves from a 21-all tie with four straight points that set the tone until end game.

Gandler and Basas came through with 12 points while Jacqueline Acuna came off the bench in the third set and finished with eight points.

“It was all team effort,” said Molina, who was last conference’s Most Valuable Player.

Davison finished with 17 points highlighted by 16 kills while Erika Santos and Royse Tubino scored 11 and 10 points in a losing effort for PLDT.