Cignal's Jov Gonzaga. Photo from PVL Media Bureau

MANILA (UPDATED) – The now-eliminated Cignal HD vented frustrations on the semis-seeking PLDT, 24-26, 26-24, 25-17, 28-26, in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference at the Santa Rosa Sports Complex in Laguna on Saturday.

The HD Spikers were booted out of contention earlier in the day after Petro Gazz and Chery Tiggo completed their tasks versus also-ran squads Galeries and Akari.

Cignal, in the process, also propelled Petro Gazz, Choco Mucho, and Creamline (all with 8-2 records) to the next round after PLDT lost its chances to improve to 8-2 today. 

Chery Tiggo, also at 8-2, has yet to secure a Final 4 berth as the High Speed Hitters (7-3) could still mathematically reach the Crossovers, who only have 23 points. 

This will happen if the Galeries (3-7) win over coach Kungfu Reyes and company in 3 or 4 sets on Thursday, April 25, and the High Speed Hitters, who currently have 20 points, manage to get a three-point victory over Creamline. 

Despite not advancing to the next round, Cignal's Jovelyn Gonzaga played all-out and dropped 16 points anchored on 11 attacks, three blocks, and two aces. 

"Pumunta ako dito na inspired sa game na 'to and aware talaga ako na for past games sobrang I fell short talaga. And I need to step up kasi 'yung tiwala ng coaching staff hindi talaga nawala sa amin," Gonzaga said during the post-game press conference. 

Gonzaga said the win was a way for them to take their pride back and was quick to give credit to her teammates and the coaching staff. 

"Pero nag-focus talaga kami kanina and thankful talaga din, credit din sa teammates and sa decision-making ng coaching staff na nakuha talaga namin 'yung panalong 'yon. And ang sarap sa feeling na somehow naka-recover 'yung pride namin somehow." 

For coach Shaq delos Santos, snatching the game from PLDT was a way to build their confidence back. 

"[I]niisip ng iba na wala siyang bearing but sa amin kasi 'yung kumpiyansa ulit namin maibalik ulit namin sarili namin na kung paano talaga kami maglaro so sobrang happy," Delos Santos said. 

PLDT was so close to forcing a decider after Erika Santos nailed a down-the-line attack for a 26-25 separation in extended Set 4. 

Chai Troncoso's hit went out, but the HD Spikers challenged for ball touch and was successful. 

Gonzaga then turned back one of PLDT's attack and Ces Molina followed it through with another hit to clinch the victory in one hour and 42 minutes. 

"Sobrang thankful ako sa kanila kasi trinabaho pa rin nila kahit alam ng buong team na medyo 'yung standing namin, I think pang-six? But 'yun kailangan makapag-start na ulit kami nang maganda para sa papuntang next conference," Delos Santos said. 

Ces Molina (15 points) and up-and-coming Vanie Gandler (12 points) completed the supporting cast for Cignal's offense. 

Ge Cayuna was also there to make the plays and tallied 19 excellent sets in Cignal's victory. 

Meanwhile, Savi Davison's 29-point explosion for PLDT was rendered useless as her team absorbed the loss. 

PLDT will try to bank on its slim hopes of a postseason berth against defending champion Creamline on April 25 at the PhilSports Arena. 

Cignal, meanwhile, will continue to fight for its pride against Capital1 on April 27.