PVL: Cignal makes quick work of Akari to gain solo third

The surging Cignal HD Spikers continued to roll in the PVL All-Filipino Conference after sweeping Akari, 25-17, 25-15, 25-21, to gain the solo third spot on Tuesday at the PhilSports Arena.

The HD Spikers, who were coming off a pair of victories over ZUS Coffee and Capital1, broke a three-way tie with PLDT and Choco Mucho to improve to 8-7 and secure the third spot behind top seed Creamline and second seed Petro Gazz.

Akari, meanwhile, slipped to a 5-6 card.

The Chargers looked like they were threatening a comeback in the third with Faith Nisperos bringing them to within one, but Cignal responded with third straight points that sent the HD Spikers to a 16-12 cushion.

Ivy Lacsina unloaded a hammer from the opposite side to cut the gap to three at 18-15, but Cignal had an answer yet again with the wards of Shaq Delos Santos unleashing a 4-0 rampage capped by a Jovelyn Fernandez push for a 22-15 spread.

However, momentum momentarily shifted back to Akari when Cams Victoria fueled a 4-0 blast that allowed the Chargers to turn it into just a three-point separation at 22-19.

Fernandez then sent Cignal to the match point before Jackie Acuña completed a running attack that sealed it for the red-hot Cignal.

Vanie Gandler took charge with 15 points while Roselyn Doria-Aquino and Ishie Lalongisip posted 12 and 10 markers apiece with the latter also grabbing five receptions to help the cause.

Nisperos was the only Akari player who breached the double-digit scoring as she churned out 12 points together with eight digs and six receptions.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News