Cignal meets Petro Gazz in PNVF final

MANILA, Philippines — Cignal HD essayed a thrilling 23-25, 22-25, 25-22, 25-22, 15-10 come-from-behind win against NCAA champion St. Benilde yesterday and marched on to the final of the PNVF Champions League at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Glaudine Troncoso starred with 15 points, including a personal 4-0 blitz in the HD Spikers’ fiery 7-0 start in the clincher to complete their comeback from two sets down en route to the one-game finale today at 5:30 p.m.

Cignal will face Petro Gazz for the title after the latter defeated Chery Tiggo in their own semis matchup, 25-21, 25-19, 25-14.

Troncoso drew ample support from Ces Molina, Ria Meneses and Chin Basas with 13, 12 and 10 points, respectively, while Vanie Gandler put on the finishing touches in the clutch with nine points as Cignal stretched its unbeaten run to five games.

The HD Spikers, who swept the elimination round including the same five-setter win against the Lady Blazers, will try to complete a perfect championship campaign against Petro Gazz.

“I think it’s our maturity. Experience-wise, lamang kami,” said coach Shaq delos Santos.

Cignal stamped that veteran prowess in the last three sets after being caught off guard by the two-time NCAA and PNVF Challenge Cup champions in the first two sets.