CIGNAL HD moved a victory shy of sweeping its way to the Open Conference crown following its 25-23, 21-25, 25-19, 25-17 win over Mega Builders in Game One of the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Finals on Wednesday at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
The HD Spikers, who won the Reinforced Conference title, teetered against the Volleybolts in the first two sets only to wrest the momentum to rule the opener of the best-of-three titular series.
Isay Marasigan led the HD Spikers with 21 points on 16 spikes, four service aces and one block, while Edmar Bonono and Peter Torres chipped in 14 and 11 points, respectively.
Lorenzo Capate and Rex Intal added nine hits apiece, while playmaker Vince Mangulabnan scattered 43 excellent sets for Cignal HD.
“One down, but it’s not done yet. To get the championship, you win two games. We have to step up,” Cignal Head Coach Oliver Almadro said.
The HD Spikers goes for the series sweep on Saturday to complete a season grand slam, but Almadro anticipates a strong challenge from Mega Builders.
“Megabuilders is a strong team, we just have to be resilient in everything we do,” he said.
Bryan Bagunas led Mega Builders with 14 points, with Francis Saura adding 13 points.
Air Force, meanwhile, threw all of its frustrations against Santa Elena, 25-22, 25-22, 23-25, 25-16, to move a win away of clinching third place.
The Jet Spikers, who were dethroned by Mega Builders in the semifinals, played with a vengeance with Jeffrey Malabanan scoring 19 points and Rudolfo Labrador and Howard Mojica contributing 14 points apiece.
Image credits: Nonoy Lacza