May 01, 2024

Cignal HD Spikers top D'Navigators Iloilo, complete PNVF sweep

Cignal HD Spikers top D
The Cignal HD Spikers reign supreme in the PNVF Champions League.

The revenge tour is complete.

The Cignal HD Spikers have regained the crown they lost in the Challenge Cup, after pulling off a massive sweep of the PNVF Champions League on Saturday night. 

Behind the spirited performance of reigning MVP Jau Umandal, the HD Spikers quelled the erstwhile unbeaten D'Navigators Iloilo, 27-25, 31-33, 25-16, 25-18, at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

 

Cignal, which yielded the throne to UST in the previous edition of the tournament last November, refused to suffer another heartbreak as it snapped Iloilo's four-game unbeaten run to clinch the title.

Umandal, who also earned the Best Opposite Hitter award, blazed the golden trail with a 28-point explosion, while Best Middle Blocker JP Bugaoan poured out 23 markers.

Mark Calado and Lloyd Josafat provide ample support with 11 and 10 points, respectively.

A marathon ensued right out of the gates as both teams traded blows in a bid to dictate the tempo. Cignal came out on top of the extended first set before Iloilo equalized in the second frame that went beyond the 30-point mark.

The scales then tipped in favor of the HD Spikers in the third canto, before the D'Navigators regrouped and made things interesting in the fourth. 

Engaged in a 12-all stalemate in the decisive set, Iloilo let the floodgates open as Cignal went on a 8-0 surge for a commanding 20-12 separation en route to the championship.

Kyle Villamor churned out 24 points that went down the drain as the D'Navigators suffered their first defeat at the most inopportune time.

Best Opposite Hitter John Ben San Andres managed 11 markers while Best Middle Blocker Jayvee Sumagaysay finished with 10 points.