MANILA, Philippines— Cignal prevailed over Creamline in five grueling sets, 25-21, 24-26, 18-25, 25-22, 17-15, to join PLDT in the semifinals of the 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference on Thursday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.
It may be unusual for a playmaker score in double figures but Gel Cayuna keyed the Cignal’s victory by collecting 35 excellent sets and 11 points for the Super Spikers, who avenged their five-setter setback against the Cool Smashers in the preliminary round.
“During our training we had a goal each, me, personally, my goal is to score 30 and above of excellent sets and score a double-digit mark. I am so happy that I am able to fulfill that promise,” Cayuna said after the game.
Erika Santos led the scoring for Cignal with 26 points, while Vanie Gandler made a triple-double performance of 22 points, 28 excellent receptions, and 13 excellent digs.
Alas Pilipinas libero Dawn Catindig took care of the Super Spikers’ floor defense with 31 excellent digs.
Based on the new format of the tournament, preliminary round leaders PLDT, Cignal, Creamline and Farm Fresh moved to the qualifying round. Under the 1-versus-4 and 2-versus-3 format, the winners will advance outright to the semifinal round while the losers clash with the winners of the play-in phase.
Creamline was led by Bernadeth Pons, who made 20 points, while Alyssa Valdez made a triple-double performance of 18 points, 20 excellent receptions, and 19 excellent digs.
The Cool Smashers will next face the winner of the Akari and Choco Mucho clash on Saturday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
PLDT earlier outplayed Farm Fresh, 18-25, 25-23, 25-15, 25-22, to reach the semis.