CIGNAL scored an emphatic 25-22, 25-15, 25-17 win over Foton yesterday and bagged the bronze medal in the Philippine Superliga Invitational Conference at the Ynares Sports Arena.
Roselyn Doria led a well-balanced attack as the HD Spikers came up with another impressive finish in the prestigious women’s club tournament.
Doria, who is training with the national team that will see action in the 30th Southeast Asian Games, had six attacks, three blocks and two aces while skipper Rachel Anne Daquis and Mylene Paat had 10 and nine points, respectively.
Fil-Am setter Alohi Robins-Hardy also shone, finishing with 14 excellent sets with 10 markers built around four kills, three blocks and three aces.
“They really wanted to bounce back from their heart-breaking semis loss last Tuesday,” said Cignal coach Edgar Barroga, whose wards looked good in the early part of the short but very competitive conference until they ran into powerhouse Petron and F2 Logistics in the stretch.
“They wanted to prove that this is a championship-caliber team. That’s why they played like this.”
Barroga added that their bronze medal shines like gold.
“We’re still happy. Although we missed the chance to play in the finals, we’re still happy with this win. They worked hard for this bronze medal,” he said.
Nobody from Foton emerged with double figures, with Marian Buitre coming up as the lone bright spot in the absence of towering sisters Jaja Santiago and Dindin Manabat, who are still in Japan to compete in the prestigious V-Premier League.