LINDSEY Vander Weide powered through a tired and weary Cignal and Petro Gazz essayed a 25-14, 25-21, 25-27, 25-19 victory yesterday to remain in finals contention in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference at the PhilSports Arena.
The power-hitting Ms. Vander Weide sprayed a match-best 30 hits as the Angels improved to 2-1, the same output by the HD Spikers.
Cignal, however, had already booked the first slot to the best-of-three finals via its superior set ratio.
Petro Gazz seals the last spot to the finals if Creamline loses to Chery Tiggo in its game at press time.
It was another emphatic win by 2019 Reinforced Conference champions, who came into this game riding high on a 25-15, 25-17, 25-13 massacre of the Chery Tiggo Crossovers at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday.
“It definitely feels good with these two big wins right before the finals,” said Ms. Vander Weide.
Ms. Vander Weide got the needed support including those from MJ Philips, who had 13 points including seven magnificent blocks, and Aiza Pontillas, who scattered 10 points.
It was, however, Ms. Vander Weide’s connection with setter Djanel Cheng that spelled the biggest difference.
“Me and Ms. Cheng were meshing tonight (yesterday) and this is the game I needed to score high and I’m glad it went well,” said Ms. Vander Weide.
Cignal was a shadow of its once glorious self after slaying heavy title favorite Creamline, 23-25, 25-23, 28-26, 25-18, also Sunday that pushed it on the cusp of making the PVL for the first time.
There was little energy left in tank for the HD Spikers as they dropped against the well-rested and energetic Angels, who had a quick straight set triumph in their last game.
Cignal showed some fight in the third set after Tai Bierria went on a spiking spree that saw it snatching the set and cutting its deficit to two sets to one.
It turned out its last hurrah as Vander Weidei reimposed her iron will and sealed the deal. — Joey Villar
