HD Spikers claim bronze

MANILA, Philippines — With a foiled breakthrough title bid, the Cignal HD Spikers consoled themselves with a bronze-medal finish in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference last night at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.

Cignal claimed a league-record fifth second runner-up trophy with a  tense 20-25, 25-19, 25-18, 25-23 victory over sister team PLDT.

The win somehow eased the pain of the HD Spikers’ heartbreaking five-set semifinal defeat to the Creamline Cool Smashers at the MOA Arena Saturday – a battle where the HD Spikers came a point away from sealing a finals seat and a chance at a breakthrough PVL crown.

“I’m happy with the results, although it was not the result we wanted, but we are still thankful,” said Venezuelan import MJ Perez, who paced Cignal with 26 points including 22 bazooka kills.

Both Cignal coach Shaq delos Santos and skipper Ces Molina vowed to go for the big one next time.

“Hindi kami titigil na makuha ang goal namin na manalo ng championship,” said Delos Santos.

“Gusto pa rin namin improvement, magtratrabaho pa, magtre-training. Marami kaming adjustment at hindi kami titigil hanggat makarating kami doon,” said Molina, who was also on fire, dropping 20 points.

For the High Speed Hitters, it’s another painful setback coming after a devastating five-set semis loss to the Akari Chargers.

The defeat denied PLDT a first podium finish, with the High Speed Hitters relegated to fourth for the third time – the franchise’s best finish in nine conferences in the league.

Russian juggernaut Elena Samoilenko unloaded a match-high 35 points that went for naught.

The High Speed Hitters came into the game wearing special black shirts with words “Pusong PLDT” emblazoned on them.

Somehow, it seemed to inspire the High Speed Hitters as they seized the opening set and looked on the way to claiming their best performance since joining the league three years ago.

It wasn’t to be, though.

PLDT also had a chance at forcing a deciding set when it led, 20-15, and later, 23-20, in the fourth set. But Cignal came rampaging back in stopping its sibling on its track and taking the last five points for the win and the podium honors.