Cignal survives ZUS Coffee to arrest slump in PVL Invitational

Cignal finally broke out of its slump after bucking a slow start en route to a 22-25, 25-19, 25-18, 25-19 win against ZUS Coffee in the 2025 PVL Invitational Conference on Monday at the PhilSports Arena.

Erika Santos once again shone, but this time she got ample support from her HD Spikers teammates as they snapped a three-game skid to climb to 1-3, while the Thunderbelles dropped to 0-2.

ZUS kept things tight early in the fourth set, with Wielyn Estoque delivering instant energy off the bench and denying Santos at the opposite side to trim the Thunderbelles’ deficit to 13-16.

But Santos, the reigning PVL On Tour MVP, made up for it in the succeeding plays after starting a 4-0 rampage that allowed Cignal to create a 20-13 cushion. 

ZUS, however, responded with its own 3-0 blast capped by a Chai Troncoso cross court attack as the Jerry Yee-mentored club pulled within four points, 20-16. 

Tin Tiamzon was clutch in the endgame after unleashing a kill and serving an ace while the returning Vanie Gandler, who was coming off a hectic campaign with Alas Pilipinas Women, completed a combination play for a 23-18 lead. 

Rookie Erin Pangilinan clinched the match point off her service ace while another first-year in Jessa Ordiales finished it off, going through two blockers from the right wing to close it out. 

Santos showed the way with another breakout outing, dropping 21 points highlighted by 20 attacks, while Ishie Lalongisip and Tiamzon chipped in 13 and 10 markers apiece. 

Gandler finished with six points in her first game back with Cignal. 

—JMB, GMA Integrated News