STA. ROSA, Laguna. – Cignal humbled Sta. Lucia 25-18, 25-23, 25-14 Tuesday to complete a sweep of Pool A action in the Philippine Superliga Invitational Conference at the Sta. Rosa Multi-purpose Sports Complex here.
The HD Spikers dominated the Lady Realtors in 80 minutes to stay perfect in three games, with national team member Mylene Paat shone scoring 12 points off nine kills, a pair of aces and a block, and Rachel Anne Daquis adding 10 points and 16 digs.
Do-it-all setter Alohi Robins-Hardy had 14 excellent sets on top of eight markers while Jheck Dionela protected the floor with 17 digs and eight excellent receptions.
Despite their 3-0 start, Cignal skipper Daquis said they couldn’t let their guards down as they join Petron, PLDT and Marinerang Pilipina in Pool C for the next round, where the top two squads advance to the knockout semifinals.
“We can’t be complacent because every game is important in this short conference,” said Daquis, who led a strong second set comeback from a 16-22 deficit.
“After we realized it in the second set, the team woke up and became motivated to try to finish it in straight sets and give our best.
”After a convincing opening set win, the HD Spikers erased a 16-22 second set deficit as Daquis and Gonzaga led the squad to score seven unanswered points for a 23-22 led only for Robins-Hardy’s service error that halted their run but they completed the comeback as Joy Dacoron committed a net touch and got blocked by Doria.
