Cignal blitzes Cocolife, reaches SLiga semis

MANILA, Philippines — Reigning champion Cignal booked a return flight to the semifinals as it clobbered Cocolife in straight sets, 25-21, 25-21, 25-22, in the Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga (PSL) Invitational Conference yesterday at the Muntinlupa Sports Center.

Skipper Rachel Anne Daquis got the job done as she spearheaded the HD Spikers to a clean sweep of the preliminaries in this club tourney bankrolled by Isuzu, UCPB Gen and Sogo Hotel with ESPN5, Hyper HD and Aksyon TV as broadcast partners.

Daquis nailed the semis-clinching backrow kill to complete an impressive third-set fightback and finish with 15 points built on 13 attacks, two blocks and seven digs.

“Rachel was really very eager to win this game for us. She played in beast mode and carried the team,” said Cignal head coach Edgar Barroga, noting that he fired up his wards by reminding them the importance of the game.

“We came in a bit relaxed because our opponents is already out of contention and that we realized that we cannot afford to lose this game because we might blow our opportunity for outright semifinals.”

National Pool member Mylene Paat scattered 10 kills and six blocks for 16 points while Mumay Vivas notched six hits and playmaker Acy Masangkay made 21 excellent sets for the HD Spikers, who also drew impressive game from seasoned libero Jheck Dionela.

Cignal will take a one-week break while waiting for its foe in the knockout semifinals in this conference that also has Senoh, Asics, Mikasa, Mueller and Grand Sport as technical sponsors.