HD Spikers bounce back, rip Foxies

MANILA, Philippines — Jovelyn Gonzaga provided much energy and firepower as Cignal vented its ire on Farm Fresh with a quick, ruthless 25-10, 25-14, 25-15 victory yesterday that tossed the HD Spikers back  inside the magic four in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the PhilSports Arena.

The battle-scarred Ilongga spiker was practically everywhere as she unleashed a match-high 17 points laced with 14 spikes while helping libero Dawn Catindig anchor the team’s floor defense with 10 digs and seven receptions as the HD Spikers snared their fifth win in seven outings.

Skipper Ces Molina and Vanessa Gandler had significant contributions with 11 and 10 hits, respectively, as they sent the Foxies stumbling to 2-5.

“Sobrang proud ako sa team, especially Jove,” said Cignal coach Shaq delos Santos referring to Gonzaga. “Makikita naman sa communication niya with her teammates at performance.

“Importante ang leadership niya,” Delos Santos added.

Gonzaga simply refused to lose.

“Iniisip ko the rest of the our games, very crucial so hindi na kami makaka afford ng talo kaya ang mindset ko sa sarili ko, kailangan manalo,” she said.

The win also soothed the pain of Cignal’s heartbreaking 26-28, 22-25, 25-22, 25-21, 16-14 defeat to Creamline last March 26 in a game that saw them blow three match points.

“Paghuhugutan namin itong panalo, napakalaking bagay. Kung baga yung mga naisip namin negative before the game nawala na,” said Delos Santos.

“Ito yung another opportunity namin na magpalakas at magpagaling,” he added.