Molina, Araneta lead Cignal ouster of F2; Petro Gazz clinches 3rd semis spot

MANILA, Philippines – The Cignal HD Spikers rode a huge third set win to eliminate the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers from PVL Reinforced Conference contention in four frames, 25-21, 20-15, 25-14, 25-20, at the Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, November 19.

Despite still having a chance to end the elimination round with a 4-4 record, the Cargo Movers have been booted out of the race due to the points system as they will not be able to best either Cignal or the Choco Mucho Flying Titans in that category no matter what scenario plays out moving forward.

Ces Molina led the huge win with 20 points, backstopped by 15 points from Angeli Araneta as import Tai Bierria took a backseat with 6 points in just two sets played.

F2 import Lindsay Stalzer went down swinging with 26 points as the Cargo Movers’ only double-digit scorer. Kalei Mau – still reeling from injury – only scored 9 points, while Kianna Dy only managed 7.

Cignal’s middle blocker duo of Ria Meneses and Roselyn Doria scored 9 apiece as the HD Spikers rose to a 4-3 record with one final showdown against Choco Mucho (3-4) on Tuesday, November 22, 2:30 pm, at the PhilSports Arena.

If Cignal wins its next game or at least two sets of it, it will immediately clinch the fourth and final seed even if Choco Mucho guts out a five-set win, again owing to the points system.

The Flying Titans may only snatch the playoff berth from under the HD Spikers’ feet with a three- or four-set victory.

Meanwhile, the Petro Gazz Angels rocketed to the third semifinals spot after a 25-13, 25-12, 25-19 blowout over the winless UAI-Army Lady Troopers.

Djanel Cheng continued her strong playmaking run with 23 excellent sets in just three frames to help import Lindsay Vander Weide reach the 20-point mark off 14 attacks, 4 blocks, and 2 aces.

Aiza Maizo-Pontillas led the locals with 12 points off 10 attacks and 2 blocks, while Myla Pablo scored 9 as Petro Gazz rose to a 5-2 record with one last non-bearing assignment against F2 on Tuesday, 5:30 pm.

Import Lady Trooper Laura Condotta was the lone double-digit scorer over at the losing side with 12 points as the Army fell to a 0-8 slate and their 13th straight loss dating back to the 2022 Invitational Conference round robin semifinals.

All in all, the Lady Troopers posted a disastrous 3-19 record in the PVL’s first full season since the pandemic began. – Rappler.com