Tough, come-from-behind victory for Cignal.
The Cignal HD Spikers are heading to the PNVF Champions League Finals after dethroning the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde on Friday.
The HD Spikers evaded the upset axe of the Lady Blazers, carving out a hard-earned escape act, 23-25, 22-25, 25-22, 25-22, 15-10, in the semifinals held at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Coming off a day of rest, the HD Spikers had to shake off the rust in the first two sets before kicking their offense into gear to force a decider.
With momentum on its side, Cignal then raced out of the fifth set as Chai Troncoso poured out five points in a 7-0 run.
Gayle Pascual and Corrine Apostol tried to pump life into CSB but the HD Spikers preserved the lead until the end.
Cignal head coach Shaq Delos Santos lauded his wards for showing composure down the stretch.
"Experience-wise, lamang kami. Tsaka 'yung momentum nung nakakuha kami nung third set, malaking bagay 'yun. I think napagod na rin 'yung CSB pero nilalaban nila. Again, 'yung tiwala ko lang lagi sa team na hindi ko pwede tanggalin 'yan. Never mawawala 'yan," Delos Santos said.
Troncoso spearheaded a balanced offensive thrust with 15 points built on 13 attacks and three blocks for the HD Spikers, who will now await the winner of the Chery Tiggo-Petro Gazz pairing.
Ces Molina supplied 13 points while Riri Meneses and Chin Basas chipped in 12 and 10 markers, respectively.
Vanie Gandler, who saw limited minutes, made her presence felt above the net with three blocks in a nine-point outing.
On the other hand, the College of St. Benilde, which ruled the previous edition of the PNVF, absorbed its fourth straight loss in the tournament and will be relegated to the battle for third place.
Pascual topscored with 18 off 15 attacks and three blocks for the Lady Blazers, who strung 11 and 10 markers from Zam Nolasco and Apostol.
The Finals and the bronze medal match will start tomorrow, Saturday, in the same venue. Games will air on One Sports, One Sports+, and the Pilipinas Live app.