Cignal outclassed Galeries Tower with a 25-17, 25-20, 25-19 statement victory on Tuesday, Jan. 21, to resume its campaign with a bang in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

Displaying a new look following the departure of key players Ces Molina and Riri Meneses in the middle of the conference, the HD Spikers still displayed their cohesion and chemistry to notch their fifth win in six games.

Vanie Gandler stepped up for Cignal with an all-around game as she pumped in 17 points built on 13 points, three aces and one block while new skipper Dawn Catindig took charge of the floor defense and managed with 19 digs and four receptions.

“We just wanted to apply what we have been doing during training and we just tried to enjoy the game,” said Catindig in Filipino.

“I’m really happy with this win because everyone stepped up. It was a total team effort,” she added.

The HD Spikers, indeed, were in control for most parts of the game, particularly in the second set, where they started a 5-0 lead and held on.

But the Highrisers refused to be unfazed, keeping the game close in the third set with attacks from Ysa Jimenez and Julia Coronel, before the HD Spikers put up a solid defense anchored on Gandler and Jacqueline Acuna.

Roselyn Doria, Rochelle Lalongisip and Acuna chipped in nine points apiece for Cignal, whose defense limited all Galeries Tower players to single-digit production.

Jimenez and Coronel could only score eight points each including a combined 14 kills, while Jho Maraguinot and Roselle Baliton scored a meager five points apiece.

The Highrisers absorbed their second straight loss to slip at 1-6 as they also gave up 20 points on woeful errors.

Meanwhile, Creamline flexed its might and swept Capital1, 25-19, 25-19, 25-18, to remain unscathed in five games.

Jema Galanza and Tots Carlos led the offensive assault for the Cool Smashers by conspiring for 18 kills to finish with 12 and 10 points, respectively, as everybody contributed a little of everything in the one-hour, 27-minute affair.

The victory spoiled the debut appearance of new recruit Trisha Genesis, who was the lone bright spot for the Solar Spikers with 10 points.

Creamline overpowered Capital1 in all departments, particularly in attacks, 41-34, and blocks, 8-2. The Cool Smashers also posted more aces with six with the Solar Spikers’ only three.

The loss kept Capital1 near the cellar as it absorbed its fifth defeat in six games.

In the nightcap, Petro Gazz rose from a two-set deficit to turn back Chery Tiggo, 20-25, 20-25, 25-23, 25-15, 15-7, for its sixth win in seven games.

Myla Pablo and Aiza Pontillas displayed their vintage form and unloaded 18 points apiece to steer the Angels, while Nicole Tiamzon and Brooke Van Sickle both came off the bench and chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Chery Tigo fell to 4-3 to tie with Choco Mucho in the middle standings despite the efforts for Czarina Carandang and Ponggay Gaston, who combined for 25 points in a losing cause.