MANILA – Cignal HD Spikers stormed into the upper tier of the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference after dismantling previously unbeaten PLDT High Speed Hitters, 25-21, 25-19, 25-23, on Tuesday night at the Playtime FilOil Centre in San Juan, handing the league leaders their first loss of the tournament in emphatic straight-set fashion.
With the High Speed Hitters eyeing a sweep of the elimination round for an automatic semifinals berth, the HD Spikers rose to the occasion behind a poised and masterful performance from playmaker Gel Cayuna.
Cayuna orchestrated Cignal’s offense with 18 excellent sets while chipping in nine points and five excellent digs to earn Player of the Game honors, steering her squad to a 4-1 win-loss record and tightening the race at the top of the standings.
Cignal dictated the tempo from the opening set, leaning on crisp ball distribution and disciplined floor defense to frustrate PLDT, which struggled to find sustained rhythm against the HD Spikers’ organized block and transition game.
The third set saw the High Speed Hitters threaten a comeback after trimming a late deficit, but Cignal kept its composure in the closing stretch, sealing the sweep and denying PLDT a shot at a blemish-free elimination campaign.
The setback dropped PLDT to 3-1, shaking up the conference leaderboard and injecting fresh intrigue into the race for semifinal incentives.
In the other match, Akari Power Chargers snapped their skid with a 25-18, 25-23, 23-25, 25-22 triumph over sister team Nxled Chameleons.
Setter Marionne Alba dished out 22 excellent sets and added five points to bag Player of the Game honors, anchoring Akari’s much-needed breakthrough that improved its record to 1-3.
The Power Chargers established control early, dominating the opening frame and surviving a tight second set to build a two-set cushion. Although Nxled extended the contest by snaring the third set, Akari regained command in the fourth behind Alba’s steady orchestration and timely execution.
The Chameleons absorbed their second straight loss and slipped to 3-2 in the conference./PN
