PVL: Erika Santos dazzles as Cignal beats Creamline for the first time in three years

Erika Santos shone anew for the red-hot Cignal as the HD Spikers picked up their first win over Creamline after three years with a 25-22, 25-18, 28-26 victory in the PVL On Tour on Tuesday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre. 

The opposite hitter scattered 18 points anchored on 14 attacks, two blocks, and two aces to help Cignal preserve its unbeaten run with a 3-0 slate in Pool B while also dealing the Cool Smashers their first loss to go 2-1. 

Cignal had to overcome multiple deficits early in Set 3 with Sheena Toring bringing Creamline to a 16-14 lead off a quick hit. But Cignal went on a surge after Santos served up an ace to fuel a 4-0 run that allowed them to take an 18-16 cushion. 

Heather Guino-o then came up big at the right time, unleashing two kills in a 5-2 blast that saw the HD Spikers take a 23-18 advantage. 

Creamline, though, displayed its championship poise after Michele Gumabao soared for the cross court hammer before Santos committed back-to-back attack errors as the Cool Smashers forced a 24-all deadlock. 

It was Ishie Lalongisip who would finish it off after she connected on two consecutive attacks from the left side, the last of which she punished the floor defense of Alysa Valdez, to deliver the victory. 

Lalongisip posted 15 points laced with 10 receptions and seven digs while Roselyn Doria chipped in 10 markers to mark Cignal's first win against Creamline since the 2022 Reinforced Conference semifinals. 

—JMB, GMA Integrated News