Cignal settled for the bronze medal following an emphatic 25-22, 25-15, 25-17 win over Foton in the Philippine Superliga Invitational Conference yesterday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Roselyn Doria spearheaded a well-balanced attack for the HD Spikers, who came up with another impressive finish in this prestigious women’s club tournament.
Doria, who got ample training with the national women’s team that will see action in the 30th Southeast Asian Games, delivered six attacks, three blocks and two aces while skipper Rachel Anne Daquis and Mylene Paat had 10 and nine points, respectively, for Cignal, who were relegated to the bronze-medal match after dropping a four-set decision to F2 Logistics in the semifinals.
Filipino-American setter Alohi Robins-Hardy also shone, finishing with 14 excellent sets with 10 markers built around four kills, three blocks and three aces.
“They really wanted to bounce back from their heart-breaking semis loss last Tuesday,” said Cignal coach Edgar Barroga, whose wards were looking good in the early part of this short, but very competitive conference, until they ran into powerhouse Petron and F2 Logistics in the crucial stretch.
“They wanted to prove that this is a championship-caliber team. That’s why they played like this.”
Barroga added that for them, their bronze medal shines like gold.
“We’re still happy. Although we missed the chance to play in the finals, we’re still happy with this win. They worked hard for this bronze medal.”
None from Foton emerged with double figures with Marian Buitre proving as the lone bright spot in the absence of towering sisters Jaja Santiago and Dindin Manabat, who are still in Japan to compete in the prestigious V.Premier League.
Worse, the Tornadoes lost CJ Rosario, who sprained her left knee after an awkward landing early in the third set.
Buitre finished with nine points for Foton, which has yet to win the title after back-to-back conquests in the Grand Prix of 2014 and 2015.
