PVL: Cignal outlasts Creamline in thriller ahead of Reinforced Conference playoffs

Cignal gained a much-needed confidence boost heading to the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference playoffs after outlasting Creamline with a 25-18, 20-25, 22-25, 25-16, 15-11 win to conclude its preliminary round run on Tuesday. 

The Super Spikers overcame a 1-2 set deficit to turn back the defending champions Cool Smashers as both teams now feature identical 5-3 cards ahead of the quarterfinals that kick off on Monday. 

Rookie opposite hitter Jessa Ordiales proved to be the spark plug in Set 4 in lieu of Erika Santos, who did not see action in the frame as head coach Shaq Delos Santos let his bench run the show. 

It worked wonders as Ordiales connived with import Katrin Trebichavska in dragging the Cool Smashers to a deciding fifth set. 

Vanie Gandler then took off for two consecutive attacks from the back row for a crucial 6-4 lead before Trebichavska scored three straight points, unleashing one from the pipe and serving two aces to give Cignal a luxurious 9-4 advantage.

But back-to-back errors from Cignal and Tots Carlos block on Gandler allowed Creamline to trim the deficit to just two and threaten a comeback attempt, 7-9. That prompted Cignal to bring Santos back in and the PVL On Tour MVP immediately soared from the opposite side to create an 11-8 advantage. 

Cignal and Creamline traded service errors in the next sequence, but Trebichavska unloaded a strong hammer from the left wing for a 13-9 lead while Jackie Acuña completed a running kill to clinch the match point at 14-10. 

Trebichavska finished it off with a familiar hit from the open side, steering Cignal to an upset victory from the reigning queens of the import-laced tournament. 

Trebichavska finished with 20 points and nine receptions while Gandler and middle blocker Roselyn Doria-Aquino chipped in 15 and 12 markers each to lead the local support. 

In the other game, Choco Mucho ended its campaign on a high note after pulling off a 25--23, 21-25, 25-23, 25-21 win against the higher-ranked Akari. 

Honey Royse Tubino fronted the offense with 20 points anchored on 18 attacks and two blocks while Anyse Smith churned out 18 markers as they exited the tourney with a 3-5 slate. 

—JMB, GMA Integrated News