The Cignal HD Spikers snapped a four-game losing skid after a breakthrough victory over the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles in the PVL Invitational.
The Cignal HD Spikers barged into the win column in the PVL Invitational after bucking a slow start against the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles, 22-25, 25-19, 25-18, 25-19, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on Monday night.
Hard-pressed for wins to even have a shot at a podium finish in this quick-fire tournament, the HD Spikers added to ZUS Coffee’s woes while also welcoming back Alas hitter Vanie Gandler.
Now with a complete lineup, the HD Spikers had more fire power led by the increasingly reliable Erika Santos.
Santos was the one who spearheaded their bounce back in Set 2 where they were comfortably ahead at the second technical timeout, 16-10, after a through the block hit from one of the newest additions to the HD Spikers.
Tin Tiamzon then joined the scoring party in a likewise lopsided Set 3 where Cignal flipped the script and seized the 2-1 lead after a Tiamzon attack, 25-19.
While Cignal wasn’t too dominant in the fourth set, ZUS Coffee, who welcomed back some of its players after playing with only 10 players last Saturday, couldn’t get over the hump as the Thunderbelles fell to 0-2 in the tournament.
Cignal, meanwhile, is 1-3. The HD Spikers' win over ZUS Coffee also gives PVL on Tour champions PLDT (4-0) a ticket to the Finals.
Libero Dawn Macandili-Catindig bagged Player of the Game honors with 18 excellent digs and 15 excellent receptions. She also had one point to her name.
ZUS Coffee faces a quick turnaround as the Thunderbelles face the Chery Tiggo Crossovers on Tuesday.
Cignal, meanwhile, tests guest team Kobe Shinwa University next on Thursday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.