By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The Cignal HD Spikers bounced back from a heartbreaking defeat with a 25-10, 25-14, 25-15 victory over the Farm Fresh Foxies in the PVL 1st All-Filipino Conference at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on Thursday night, April 4.
Roselyn Doria made her presence felt with an eight-point contribution to be named Player of the Game for the HD Spikers, which recovered from a tight loss to the Creamline Cool Smashers last week.
“Every game is a must-win for us,” Doria said in a post-game interview.
“Ako, personally, ginawa ko lang ang responsibility ko sa team. Lessons learned din ‘yung pagkatalo namin sa Creamline,” she added.
Guimarasnon Jovelyn Gonzaga led the way with 17 points, while Frances Molina and Vanessa Gandler added 11 and 10 markers, respectively, as the HD Spikers moved up to fourth with a 5-2 record, boosting their semifinal drive.
“Thankful, kasi ‘yung mga pinaghirapan talaga namin before the Holy Week break and after, na-apply namin ng maayos,” HD Spikers head coach Cesael delos Santos said.
“Ang isang challenge lang sa amin ay paano namin mame-maintain the whole game.”
“Sobrang proud ako kasi nag-commit sila para makapag-perform ng maayos, especially si Jov [Gonzaga], grabe ang leadership, at nakita naman sa performance niya,” the veteran coach added.
Chinnie Arroyo finished with eight points, but Trisha Tubu struggled for just six markers.
Rizza Cruz made five points, while Caitlin Viray and Negrense Alyssa Bertolano settled for four points apiece for Farm Fresh, which dropped to a 2-5 record.
Meanwhile, the Nxled Chameleons (2-5) returned to their winning ways with a 25-16, 25-16, 25-15 domination over the cellar-dwelling Strong Group Athletics, which remained winless in six matches.
Ivy Lacsina spearheaded the offense for the Chameleons with 16 points, built on 15 attacks and a service ace, to be named Player of the Game in the lopsided victory.
“Pinaghandaan po namin ‘yung game. Talagang trinabaho namin ang game na ito para ma-boost ‘yung confidence ng team kasi malalakas na ‘yung mga next namin na makakatapat,” Lacsina said./ASC, WDJ