Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 28) – The Cignal HD Spikers continue their dream unbeaten run in the 2022 PVL Open Conference as they advance to the semifinals after sweeping the BaliPure Purest Water Defenders in three sets, 25-14, 25-9, 25-14 in the quarterfinals.
The Shaq Delos Santos-mentored squad clinched the first semifinals berth thanks to their twice-to-beat advantage and will face the winner of the quarterfinals match between F2 Logistics and Petro Gazz.
Ces Molina spearheaded the Cignal scoring attack with 12 points while Roselyn Doria added 11 markers. Setter Gel Cayuna was also significant in the contest with her 26 excellent sets.
The HD Spikers and the Purest Water Defenders opened the match with a close battle in the early part of the first set, but the top seed Cignal flashed its attacking brilliance after the second technical timeout much to the delight of the returning crowd at the FilOil Flying V Centre on Monday.
In the second set, BaliPure ace outside hitter Jhoana Maraguinot led her squad to have a close gap against Cignal, 6-8. Cignal responded with a 17-3 scoring blitz after the first technical timeout to assert their mastery in the contest.
Cignal showed in the third set why they are the hottest team in the league with a flurry of powerful hits, effective sets, and alert defense to dominate the hapless BaliPure side in their quarterfinals battle.
Glaudine Troncoso sealed the victory for the HD Spikers with a block point.
Janine Marciano was the leading scorer for the Purest Water Defenders with five points as their struggles from spike (17-40), block (2-9), and service (0-6) points against their dominant opponents cost them the game.
With the loss, BaliPure has been relegated to the classification round and will face the also-ran Black Mamba Army Lady Troopers on April 1.
