MANILA, Philippines — It will be a long, hard road to glory for Cignal minus its two former pillars Ces Molina and Riri Meneses.
But so far, the HD Spikers are finding ways to plug the massive holes left by the power pair.
Thanks to the amazing Vanie Gandler and a short-handed roster that is willing to pick up the pieces, Cignal tore down Galeries Tower, 25-17, 25-20, 25-19, yesterday to stay in the top three of the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the PhilSports Arena.
In the second game, Creamline smothered Capital1, 25-19, 25-19, 25-18, fifth win in as many outings. The Solar Spikers sputtered to 1-5.
Knowing she will carry a bigger responsibility, Gandler unleashed a match-high 17 points in just three short sets that helped propel the HD Spikers to their fifth win in six outings.
Also stepping up were Jacqueline Acuna and cerebral rookie Ishie Lalongisip, who chipped in nine hits apiece, as well as Judith Abil – back as a spiker after suiting up as a libero last year – as she scattered seven points.
“Malaking bagay kasi, una, ‘yun na lang natirang players, pangalawa, ‘yun namang commitment ng lahat,” said Cignal coach Shaq delos Santos of Lalongisip and Abil.