MANILA, Philippines–Cignal secured the third seed in the PVL All-Filipino Conference qualifying round following a 25-17, 25-15, 25-21 sweep of Akari on Tuesday at PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

The HD Spikers wrapped up their preliminary schedule riding a three-game win streak mainly because of Vanie Gandler’s 15 points. Rose Doria-Aquino punched in 12 points from nine kills and three blocks.

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“Thank you sa team, coaches and players, especially sa management, kasi talagang naga-all out din buong training and sobrang appreciate ko yung effort ng lahat,” Cignal coach Shaq delos Santos said.

SCHEDULE: PVL All-Filipino Conference 2024-25

Cignal coach Shaq Delos Santos, Rose Doria-Aquino and Vanie Gandler talk about their three-game winning streak heading to the #PVL2025 qualifying round. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/tf2S37PDEu

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) February 18, 2025

“So siguro yung respect lang din namin sa isa’t isa. Sobrang happy kasi ito rin yung target namin na hopefully makuha talaga namin yung No. 3 [sa standings],” he added.

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Rookie Ishie Lalongisip continues to be reliable after contributing 10 points as Gel Cayuna dished out 19 excellent sets to lift Cignal to an 8-3 record heading to the knockout round.

Akari managed to somehow keep up with Cignal early in the third frame until the HD Spikers got their footing and surged to a 16-12 advantage.

With a 4-1 exchange, capped by an off speed hit by Jov Fernandez, Cignal climbed to a 22-15 edge as the Chargers retaliated with a 4-0 run of their own.

READ: PVL: Cignal fends off ZUS Coffee, Ishie Lalongisip has career-best

Gandler and Faith Nisperos traded cross-court hits, Fernandez scored off a block before Doria-Aquino committed a service error, 24-21, as Jackie Acuña had enough with a running kill for the decision.

Nisperos was the most productive Charger finishing with 12 points, all from attacks.

Akari finished the preliminary round on a two-game skid to a 5-6 standing as it awaits its final position going into the next round.