PVL: Gandler, Doria-Aquino lead Cignal to secure the No. 3 seed

Cignal banked on the heroics of Vanie Gandler and Roselyn Doria Aquino to secure the No. 3 seed in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference after dismantling the Akari Chargers in three sets, 25-17, 25-15, 25-21, on Tuesday, February 18, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.

Gandler poured 15 points, including 14 deadly attacks to lead the HD Spikers to their third straight victory and secured their position going to the knockout phase.

In the crucial stage of the match, Doria-Aquino delivered 12 markers, including three kill blocks, to earn the Best Player of the Game honors.

Rookie sensation Ishie Lalongisip also contributed significantly as she continued her stellar play, chipping in 10 points, while Jacqueline Acuña provided eight markers to complete a well-balanced assault. 

The win improved Cignal’s record to 8-3, with 25 match points to secure the No. 3 seed, regardless of the outcomes of the remaining matches involving PLDT and Choco Mucho, which both hold 7-3 records.

“We’re extremely happy because this was our target from the start – to hopefully claim the No. 3 spot,” said Cignal head coach Shaq Delos Santos in Filipino.

In the knockout phase, the HD Spikers will be facing either the Galeries Tower, Nxled or Capital1, all with identical 1-9 win records.

Cignal is also expected to win the next quarterfinals, extend it to semi-finals and even reach the championship round.

On the other hand, Faith Nisperos carried Akari with 12 markers as the Chargers finished the preliminaries with a 5-6 slate, and will have to wait for the result of the Chery Tiggo-Choco Mucho match-up in Ilo-Ilo to determine their final ranking.