PVL: Kianna Dy returns from long injury layoff as PLDT escapes Cignal

Kianna Dy finally returned to court after more than two years as PLDT barely survived Cignal in a tight fourth set en route to a 25-20, 25-21, 20-25, 25-22, in the PVL All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday at the PhilSports Arena.

Dy made her comeback after sustaining a knee injury back in July 2023 and marked her much-awaited debut for PLDT.

The high-flying opposite hitter was inserted late in the fourth set, when the High Speed Hitters established a sizable 16-7 lead over the high-ranked Cignal.

But the HD Spikers took advantage of the fact that PLDT was fielding the bench players as Vanie Gandler, Jackie Acuña, and Roselyn Doria fueling a 5-1 run capped by the latter's ace.

Ishie Lalongisip then joined in on the scoring spree for Cignal, knocking down back-to-back points that cut their deficit to just three, 20-17, before Doria rejected a soft touch from Majoy Baron to make it a two-point affair at 21-19.

Lalongisip's ace saw the two teams now separated by a solitary point, 22-21, but Baron made up for a previous attack error by dumping the ball followed by a Savi Davison kill for the match point, 24-21.

Davison saved the day, nailing the game-winning point as PLDT welcomed Dy's return with a huge win as they improved to 5-3 while Cignal slipped to 5-2.

Davison led the way with 24 points built on 22 attacks and two blocks alongside 12 digs and 10 receptions for a triple-double outing while Erika Santos and Baron chipped in 15 and 10 markers apiece.

Gandler paced Cignal with 22 points anchored on 19 attacks, one block, and two aces while Acuña and Lalongisip chimed in with 14 and 12 markers each.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News