Courtesy: pvl.ph
The last time they met, it took everything—five grueling sets, endless rallies, and nerves of steel—before a winner emerged.
So when Cignal and Creamline found themselves locked in another deciding set just days later, it felt less like a sequel and more like destiny demanding a different ending.
This time, it was the Super Spikers who refused to let history repeat itself, hacking out a 25-21, 24-26, 18-25, 25-22, 17-15 decision over the Cool Smashers to clinch the second semifinal berth in the Premier Volleyball League before a raucous crowd at the Araneta Coliseum late Thursday night.
Erika Santos ignited the Super Spikers early in Set 5, unleashing a blistering opening that set the tone for a team determined to rewrite the script. As the tension escalated and the margin for error vanished, Vanie Gandler took command, delivering in the clutch with poise and precision.
However, Creamline, as usual, refused to back down.
The Cool Smashers fought back from the edge, eliminating two match points against Tots Carlos and taking advantage of a rare Gandler misfire. The comeback attempt sent the match into another breathless extension, echoing their previous five-set war where Creamline had escaped, 16-14.
At 15-all, the air grew heavier with every serve.
Gandler and Alyssa Valdez traded blows in a duel fitting of the moment – power against power, will against will. Then came the cracks.
A service error from Pangs Panaga handed Cignal an opening. On the next play, Creamline turned to its most trusted weapon. Valdez rose, swung – and watched in disbelief as the ball sailed long.
A desperate challenge followed, but the replay only confirmed it.
No touch. No miracle.
Just the end.
Cignal had done it.
In a match defined by relentless rallies, fearless digs and unyielding resolve, the Super Spikers outlasted the Cool Smashers to secure the second semifinal berth, joining the PLDT High Speed Hitters in the Final Four.
Santos and Gandler led the charge with 26 and 22 points, respectively, but it was setter Gel Cayuna who orchestrated the triumph. With 35 excellent sets and 11 points – including gutsy, crafty timed 1-2 plays – she controlled the rhythm and delivered under pressure when it mattered most.
Still, Cayuna was quick to deflect the spotlight.
“Salamat sa teammates ko kasi kumapit talaga lahat. Grabe ang effort namin sa training at binigay nila lahat,” she said, crediting the collective grit that carried them through in the two-hour, 30-minute battle, the13th five-set duel and the longest this conference.
Bernadette Pons made a rousing return with 20 points, while Valdez delivered a vintage performance with 18. Panaga, Tots Carlos and Bea de Leon chipped in 14, 12 and 11 points, respectively – numbers that would normally be more than enough to carry a team to victory.
But on this night, Santos, Gandler, Cayuna, and the rest of the Super Spikers had a different ending in mind.
Now battle-tested and unshaken, the Super Spikers head into the semis armed not just with skill, but with experience forged in fire.
“Sa semis, kapag pressure game na, alam na namin kung paano i-overcome,” Cayuna added.
And perhaps that was the most significant difference this time.
Because when the match reached the kind of ending Creamline has built a reputation for owning, it was Cignal that stood taller, steadier and stronger.
They didn’t just survive the moment.
They seized it.
Meanwhile, Creamline’s journey is far from over. The Cool Smashers will have one more shot at redemption, needing to prevail in the Play-In second round against the winner of the Akari-Choco Mucho clash.
But for now, the night – and the second semis berth – belonged to Cignal – a team that stared down a familiar nightmare – and finally woke up victorious.
