The Cignal HD Spikers soared to the solo lead in the 2024-2025 PVL All-Filipino Conference after conquering the Nxled Chameleons in straight sets at the Minglanilla Sports Complex in Cebu on Saturday afternoon, December 7.
In an out-of-town affair, the HD Spikers bucked the gritty Chameleons en route to a 25-18, 25-22, 25-23 victory. They improved to 4-0 in the tournament, putting them ahead of idle Creamline in the league standings.
“I’m really happy with the team,” said Vanie Gandler, who earned Player of the Match honors after scoring 13 points. “It’s really a team effort. We were able to survive the distractions that happened, so I’m really proud.”
Veteran Ces Molina added 10 points — including the finishing kills in both the second and third sets — while Roselyn Doria scored eight points in just two sets of action.
After a comfortable win in the opener, the HD Spikers encountered more resistance in the second set as the Chameleons took the lead midway through the frame. But Shaq delos Santos got strong performances off the bench from Gyzelle Sy, Doria and Judith Abil, who sparked their strong finish to the period.
Both teams endured a prolonged break in the third set due to technical difficulties at the venue, and when action returned, the Chameleons threatened to force an extension as they took a 16-14 advantage.
Unfortunately for Nxled, their own errors allowed the HD Spikers to take control. Back-to-back miscues gave Cignal HD an 18-16 lead, and it was a nip-and-tuck affair from there. Consecutive hitting errors by Chiara Permentilla and Jai Atienza gave the HD Spikers a 23-20 lead, enough to weather a late push by the Chameleons.
“Happy kasi nakuha namin ang panalo. But then again, siguro ‘yung performance namin … even the players kanina after the game, ang sabi lang nila sa akin, ‘Coach, babawi kami.’ Alam nila kasi, hindi sila na-satisfy sa performance nila,” Delos Santos said after the game.
Nonetheless, the Cignal HD coach praised Nxled for giving them a challenge, pointing especially to the Chameleons’ floor defense.
“Luckily, nakuha namin ang panalo. Pinaghirapan din talaga pero ang dami pang kulang,” he added.
The Chameleons managed to keep in step with Cignal HD on offense, even winding up with a slim 42-41 lead on kills. But the HD Spikers dominated the other scoring categories, with a 7-2 advantage in blocks and a 3-1 lead in service aces.
Crucially for Nxled, they also committed 24 unforced errors to Cignal’s 18, with their miscues coming at vital junctures in the sets.
Permentilla had 18 points for the Chameleons, who dropped to 0-5 in the tournament with the defeat. (ABS-CBN News)