Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 1) – The Cignal HD Spikers kept their clean slate in the 2022 PVL Open Conference after beating the Petro Gazz Angels in straight sets, 25-21, 25-23, 25-23, in Game 1 of their semifinals series on Friday at the Filoil Flying V Centre.
Ria Menses – who finished with 14 points – delivered the clutch points for Cignal in the final moments of the last two sets to put the team a win away from advancing to the finals.
In the second set, the HD Spikers had to race back from a two-point deficit in the homestretch to clinch the two-set advantage, courtesy of backrow hits from star spiker Rachel Anne Daquis and block points from Meneses.
The third set had the same scenario as Petro Gazz held the lead, 23-21, off a Seth Rodriguez block point from the left flank.
A long rally ensued between the two squads, which ended when Meneses scored a point that came at the back of Angels defenders.
Daquis tied the game at 23-all with her signature attack from the right to the delight of the crowd.
Cignal earned match point with Meneses asserting her strength in the middle as Angeli Araneta nailed the Game 1 victory with a frontrow kill, where the ball slipped past the hands of the Petro Gazz defender.
Daquis scored 11 points while Ces Molina and Roselyn Doria contributed 10 markers apiece for the Shaq Delos Santos-coached squad.
Aiza Maizo-Pontillas spearheaded Petro Gazz’s scoring attack with 14 points.
Cignal is looking to close out the best-of-three affair against Petro Gazz on Sunday at 6 p.m.
