PSL out-of-town series Abria shines as Cignal drubs Systema spikers

CEBU, Philippines - Mike "The Wall" Abria made one memorable homecoming after he sealed Cignal HD’s four-set victory over Systema in the men ‘s division of the  PLDT Home DSL Philippine Super Liga-All Filipino Conference "Spike On Tour!" Out-of-town Series at the jampacked University of San Carlos gym last night.

Cignal HD fumbled in the first set, 21-25, but bounced back with finesse in the next three frames to turn the tables on Systema with the scores of 25-19, 25-23, 25-23.

"Dugay na ni nako nga gipangandoy nga makaduwa kog indoor diri sa Cebu ug mapakita nako unsay ako pwede mabuhat sa team. Pag-adto nakog Manila, di pa kaayo maayo akong bukton, pero wala ko nila pasagdi. Instead, ila gi-boost ako morale maong grabe pud akong paningkamot aron makadaog mi karon," said Abria, a former collegiate standout from the University of the Visayas.

Abria, who won last year’s Nestea Beach Volley national title in Boracay along with Jade Becaldo, was the only Cebuano player utilized by coach Michael Carino against Systema, led by well-rounded actor and sportsman Richard Gomez. He proved his worth early on, but committed some costly errors that somehow lowered his confidence level.

After Cignal HD took a two-sets-to-one lead, Systema tried their best to stay alive and forge a decider. They nearly achieved that after tying the count at 23-all, but that proved to be their last gasp of breath as Howard Mojica scored on a powerful spike, then Abria made one gallant move to seal the deal for Cignal HD.

The win pushed Cignal HD to solo second place with a 4-2 slate behind men's division leader PLDT Airforce, while Systema dropped to third with an even 3-3 card.

As of this writing last night, the Michelle Gumabao-led AirAsia Flying Spikers and the Petron Blaze Spikers, bannered by Grethen Ho, were still slugging it out in the women’s bracket. (FREEMAN)