HD Spikers seek last semis berth vs Defenders


At a glance

  • Cignal seeks to complete the semifinal cast in the Premier Volleyball League All Filipino Conference when it tangles with winless Gerflor on Tuesday, Dec. 5, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.


Cignal seeks to complete the semifinal cast in the Premier Volleyball League All Filipino Conference when it tangles with winless Gerflor on Tuesday, Dec. 5, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

PVL AFC Cignal vs. Chery Tiggo - Ces Molina-6307.jpg
Ces Molina is expected to carry the scoring load for Cignal. (PVL Images)

Toting a 7-3 win-loss record in this final eliminations playdate, a victory for the HD Spikers in their 2 p.m. tussle with the Defenders would earn them a berth to join early semifinalists Creamline, Choco Mucho and Chery Tiggo.

Coming off a 10-day respite and a morale-boosting 25-17, 25-17, 25-14 victory over Nxled last Saturday, Nov. 25, expect Cignal to go all out and stamp its class.

“Alam ko kung gaano nila (HD Spikers) pinaghirapan yung naging training namin,” said Cignal coach Shaq delos Santos following that three-set triumph.

“Good thing nabawi namin and we were very thankful (sa panalo). Isa na lang yung kailangan namin para sure na kami sa semis,” he added.

Ces Molina, Jovelyn Gonzaga and Vanie Gandler are slated to fuel the HD Spikers anew in the offensive end along with ace setter Gel Cayuna, while help will also come from Roselyn Doria, Chin Basas and Riri Meneses.

But the HD Spikers are not taking this match any lightly, as they know that the Defenders are looking for a spoiler to also quench their thirst for their first franchise victory following 10 consecutive defeats.

The Defenders showed their determination in their last matchup against the Galeries Tower Highrisers where they led by two sets, only to collapse in the end.

But Gerflor coach Sammy Acaylar is not losing hope that his stalwarts headed by Jeanette Villareal, Menchie Tubiera and Danika Gendrauli would finally deliver, hoping to end the conference with a bang.

Meanwhile, Creamline (10-0) guns for an elims sweep when it clashes with Galeries Tower (1-9) at 4 p.m., while PLDT (6-4) and Petro Gazz (6-4), who are mathematically in contention for the semis berth should Cignal lose, tangle at 6 p.m.