The Cignal HD Spikers. PVL Media Bureau

MANILA, Philippines – After a shocking loss to 10th-ranked Galeries which sent them to the play-in contest, Cignal bounced back and drubbed Capital1, 25-21, 22-25, 25-17, 25-15, in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Thursday at the PhilSports Arena.

This win put the HD Spikers on the cusp of entering the playoffs.

READ: PVL: Fearless Galeries sends No. 3 Cignal to play-in, advances to q'finals

Set 1 was a close fight in the opening minutes, but the Shaq delos Santos-mentored squad managed to pull away after a 13-4 blitz from the 5-5 count, keeping that separation in the latter part en route to a 1-0 Cignal lead.

The Solar Spikers got on board in the succeeding frame as they uncorked a 4-1 finishing kick from the 21-all mark, capped by a successful net fault challenge by maestro Roger Gorayeb.

But that Capital1 win in Set 2 didn't really matter as it was all Cignal in the next two. The HD Spikers dominated the attacking department in Set 3 with 16 kills which mostly came from Vanie Gandler, Ishie Lalongisip, and Rose Doria-Aquino, compared to the Solar Spikers' only 11.

Only a 10-8 count mid-way through Set 4 in favor of Cignal, the HD Spikers cruised to an 8-3 run for an 18-11 advantage, winning long rallies and notching off-the-block spikes as the Solar Spikers struggled to keep the ball alive.

Delos Santos' cogs kept this lead until the end of the match, securing their first triumph in the play-ins.

READ: PVL: Chery Tiggo first to enter win column in play-in rumble, sweeps Nxled

Decorated libero and Alas Pilipinas captain Dawn Catindig earned Player of the Game honors by showing her defensive prowess, listing 18 excellent digs and seven excellent receptions.

Gandler led the charge for her team's firepower, gathering a game-high 21 points on 20 attacks and one block to go with 14 excellent receptions, while Doria-Aquino tallied in a close 18-point output anchored on 13 attacks, three blocks, and two service aces.

Rookie Lalongisip, continuing to prove that she belongs in the pro ranks, registered 15 markers including 10 excellent receptions.

Gel Cayuna, a former PVL Best Setter, orchestrated Cignal's offense with 20 excellent sets.

Capital1's Leila Cruz and Trisha Genesis, meanwhile, paced the losing side with 12 points each.

Cignal has a chance to clinch a quarterfinal spot as it takes on Zus Coffee on Tuesday, March 11, while Capital1 will be battling the Thunderbelles next, set for Thursday, Mar. 13.