Cignal meets Navy in PNVF Challenge Cup semifinal

Unbeaten favorites Cignal and PGJC Navy arranged a semifinal duel after contrasting quarterfinal sweeps against separate foes in the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) Challenge Cup men's division on Thursday, Nov. 23, at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila. 

The HD Spikers smothered Iloilo, 25-18, 25-23, 25-17, while the Sea Lions dug deep to earn a gritty straight-sets win against VNS Asereht, 26-24, 26-24, 26-24. 

With little to no break, Cignal and PGJC Navy duke it out in a knockout match on Friday for a seat in the finals of the tournament supported by the Philippine Sports Commission headed by chairman Richard Bachmann, PLDT, Rebisco, Akari, Foton and CBPI.

Both squads swept the elimination rounds of the 20-team men's division with Cignal topping Pool A at 3-0 and PGJC Navy, also 3-0, wiping out Pool C before crossing paths now in the Final Four. 

Two seats are still up for grabs in the remaining quarterfinal matches as of press time featuring UAAP champion National U against Jose Rizal U and UAAP runner-up University of Santo Tomas versus Savouge Aesthetics. 

Like Cignal and PGJC Navy, NU of Pool B and UST of Poop C also swept the prelims to loom as the favorites. 

Over at women's play, Colegio de San Juan de Letran earned the right to face the fancied College of St. Benilde in the semis after a feisty 25-20, 21-25, 25-19, 25-15 quarterfinal win over Jose Rizal U. 

Two-time reigning NCAA champion 0St. Benilde was the first squad in the Final Four after fending off San Beda U, 25-14, 23-25, 25-13, 25-20. 

The Philippine Air Force and University of the Philippines Diliman are the other semifinalists in 16-team women's Challenge Cup of the PNVF headed by Ramon “Tats” Suzara.

The Philippine Air Force swept Arellano, 25-22, 25-17, 25-14 while UP Diliman prevailed over the UP Volleyball Club, 25-15, 18-25, 25-21, 26-24.