Cignal finally breaks through, sweeps Akari to snap two-game skid

Cignal refused to remain winless in the 2023 PVL Open Conference, carving out a masterful 25-23, 25-20, 25-14 victory over a struggling Akari side on Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

After the tight first two sets, the HD Spikers were a different beast come the third set. Five straight points from the side of Cignal made it a 21-10 affair as veterans Rachel Anne Daquis, Ces Molina, and Chin Basas steered the ship for the squad.

The Chargers showed some signs of life with the seasoned spiker Dindin Santiago-Manabat alongside rising stars Lycha Ebon and Trisha Genesis drilling a few points. But a service error from Genesis sent Cignal to the first match point, 24-13.

A miscommunication on the side of Cignal saved one point for Akari before Ezra Madrigal committed a service error as the HD Spikers formally bagged the victory.

Daquis paced Cignal with 11 points alongside seven receptions while middle blocker Roselyn Doria and Molina chipped in nine and eight markers apiece with setter Gel Cayuna dropping four points, 21 excellent sets, and eight digs.

For the part of Akari, only Santiago-Manabat reached the double digit scoring with her 11 points while Janine Marciano chimed in with seven as they fell to a winless 0-3 card.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News