Cignal escapes Creamline, books semis berth
Published Mar 26, 2026 10:12 pm
At A Glance
- Locked at 15-all in the extended fifth after the Cool Smashers erased a 12-14 deficit, the Super Spikers capitalized on consecutive Creamline miscues -- a Pangs Panaga service error and an Alyssa Valdez attack that sailed long -- to close it out and advance to the next round.
Gel Cayuna scores 11 points while managing 35 excellent sets from Cignal. (PVL Images)
Cignal stormed back from a 1-2 set deficit and survived Creamline’s late-game charge, 25-21, 24-26, 18-25, 25-22, 17-15, to secure a return trip to the semifinals of the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Thursday, March 26.
Locked at 15-all in the extended fifth after the Cool Smashers erased a 12-14 deficit, the Super Spikers capitalized on consecutive Creamline miscues -- a Pangs Panaga service error and an Alyssa Valdez attack that sailed long -- to close it out and advance to the next round.
Erika Santos paced Cignal with 26 points off 23 kills, while Vanie Gandler erupted for 22 points on top of 13 digs in the match that lasted two and a half hours.
Gel Cayuna also turned in a stellar all-around game, tallying 11 points while orchestrating the offense with an impressive 35 excellent sets.
Alyssa Valdez uncorked a vintage performance for Creamline, firing 18 points highlighted by timely hits in the clutch, while Bernadeth Pons stepped up with 20 points, but all their efforts went down the drain.
Panaga also had 14 points, while Tots Carlos and Bea De Leon scored 12 and 11 points in a losing cause as the loss relegated the Cool Smashers in the play-in round where they face the winner between Akari and Choco Mucho to keep their semis bid alive.