The Cignal HD Spikers. PVL Media Bureau
MANILA, Philippines – Cignal had the answers against Creamline this time, taking down the champion squad in straight sets, 25-18, 25-22, 28-26, in the PVL on Tour on Tuesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
This marked the HD Spikers' third straight win while dealing the Cool Smashers' first loss in the preseason tournament.
It was a long-time coming for Cignal, as its last win against the 10-time PVL champion was in the 2022 PVL Conference Semifinals.
READ: PVL: Balanced Creamline downs Akari for back-to-back wins
Set 3 was a closer battle compared to the first two, as Creamline went back from the dead, saving several match points after falling by a much as 22-17, tying at 24-all off a late gritty rally.
On the verge of losing, Sheena Toring found the kill block to knot the scores once more, 26-apiece.
But former Rookie of the Conference Ishie Lalongisip played the role of hero from that moment on, hitting one off-the-block, coupling it with a sharp spike to close out the game that came close to two hours.
Lalongisip finished with 15 points, as Erika Santos top-scored for the winning side with 18 markers done mostly on attacks.
Gel Cayuna steered her team's offense with 22 excellent sets to go with five points, earning the Player of the Game honors.
The usually offensive-minded Creamline only had one player in double-digit scoring in Michele Gumabao, who put up 11 markers. Skipper Alyssa Valdez had nine points and nine excellent receptions, while Jema Galanza tallied eight points.