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Cignal Storms Into PVLFinals With Ruthless Creamline Takedown; Sets Up Knockout Race For Last Spot
Photo credit: PVL
The Cignal Super Spikers didn’t just qualify for their first-ever Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference Finals—they crashed in with authority.
In a high-pressure semifinal clash at the MOA Arena, Cignal overpowered the Creamline Cool Smashers in four sets, 25-13, 13-25, 25-16, 25-16, to secure the first Finals berth and send a strong message to the rest of the field.
The win wasn’t just about survival—it was about control. After splitting the first two sets in a tense exchange of blows, Cignal shifted gears in Sets 3 and 4, turning a tight battle into a statement finish.
Set 3 shift changes everything
Creamline briefly sparked hope after dominating Set 2, leveling the match and energizing their crowd-heavy support at the arena. But that momentum didn’t last long.
Cignal regrouped in Set 3 and never looked back, tightening their defense and accelerating their offense to seize control of the match.
From there, the Super Spikers refused to let Creamline breathe.
Gandler leads the charge
At the center of Cignal’s breakout performance was Vanie Gandler, who delivered a monster all-around game with 24 points, 10 excellent digs, and 10 receptions.
She powered Cignal’s decisive fourth-set surge, repeatedly breaking Creamline’s defense and setting the tone for a dominant finish.
“Every game is very hard, very crucial, so I’m just happy that we got today’s win,” Gandler said. “We tried our best to stay composed and give our all.”
Her energy rippled across the entire squad, especially in the fourth set where Cignal quickly built a double-digit cushion and never allowed a Creamline comeback.
Cayuna’s control makes the difference While Gandler provided the firepower, setter Gel Cayuna delivered the control.
Her precise playmaking kept Cignal’s offense flowing, consistently putting hitters like Erika Santos, Tin Tiamzon, and Roselyn Aquino in perfect scoring positions. Santos added 14 points, Tiamzon 13, while Aquino contributed 10 in a balanced offensive attack.
Cayuna’s composure also showed in crunch moments, including a clever push that helped shut the door on Creamline’s late resistance in the fourth set.
Creamline falls short in key moments
Creamline, led by Bernadette Pons with 17 points and Jema Galanza with 10, struggled to maintain consistency against Cignal’s pressure.
Star spiker Tots Carlos was limited to eight points, while Bea de Leon and Pangs Panaga added six and five respectively. Alyssa Valdez also saw limited action, finishing with just one point in a brief appearance.
Despite a dominant Set 2 showing, the Cool Smashers couldn’t sustain momentum when it mattered most.
Finals picture takes shape
With the win, Cignal finished the semifinals at 2-0 and officially clinched the first Finals spot. Even in the event of a loss in their final assignment, they are already assured of advancing.
Meanwhile, Creamline and Farm Fresh—both holding 1-1 records—now face a virtual knockout match for the remaining Finals berth, adding even more drama to an already intense semifinal round.
From tight exchanges to runaway finishes, this match was a story of shifting momentum—but in the end, it was Cignal who took full control when it mattered most, punching their ticket to a historic Finals appearance.
In a high-pressure semifinal clash at the MOA Arena, Cignal overpowered the Creamline Cool Smashers in four sets, 25-13, 13-25, 25-16, 25-16, to secure the first Finals berth and send a strong message to the rest of the field.
The win wasn’t just about survival—it was about control. After splitting the first two sets in a tense exchange of blows, Cignal shifted gears in Sets 3 and 4, turning a tight battle into a statement finish.
Set 3 shift changes everything
Creamline briefly sparked hope after dominating Set 2, leveling the match and energizing their crowd-heavy support at the arena. But that momentum didn’t last long.
Cignal regrouped in Set 3 and never looked back, tightening their defense and accelerating their offense to seize control of the match.
From there, the Super Spikers refused to let Creamline breathe.
Gandler leads the charge
At the center of Cignal’s breakout performance was Vanie Gandler, who delivered a monster all-around game with 24 points, 10 excellent digs, and 10 receptions.
She powered Cignal’s decisive fourth-set surge, repeatedly breaking Creamline’s defense and setting the tone for a dominant finish.
“Every game is very hard, very crucial, so I’m just happy that we got today’s win,” Gandler said. “We tried our best to stay composed and give our all.”
Her energy rippled across the entire squad, especially in the fourth set where Cignal quickly built a double-digit cushion and never allowed a Creamline comeback.
Cayuna’s control makes the difference While Gandler provided the firepower, setter Gel Cayuna delivered the control.
Her precise playmaking kept Cignal’s offense flowing, consistently putting hitters like Erika Santos, Tin Tiamzon, and Roselyn Aquino in perfect scoring positions. Santos added 14 points, Tiamzon 13, while Aquino contributed 10 in a balanced offensive attack.
Cayuna’s composure also showed in crunch moments, including a clever push that helped shut the door on Creamline’s late resistance in the fourth set.
Creamline falls short in key moments
Creamline, led by Bernadette Pons with 17 points and Jema Galanza with 10, struggled to maintain consistency against Cignal’s pressure.
Star spiker Tots Carlos was limited to eight points, while Bea de Leon and Pangs Panaga added six and five respectively. Alyssa Valdez also saw limited action, finishing with just one point in a brief appearance.
Despite a dominant Set 2 showing, the Cool Smashers couldn’t sustain momentum when it mattered most.
Finals picture takes shape
With the win, Cignal finished the semifinals at 2-0 and officially clinched the first Finals spot. Even in the event of a loss in their final assignment, they are already assured of advancing.
Meanwhile, Creamline and Farm Fresh—both holding 1-1 records—now face a virtual knockout match for the remaining Finals berth, adding even more drama to an already intense semifinal round.
From tight exchanges to runaway finishes, this match was a story of shifting momentum—but in the end, it was Cignal who took full control when it mattered most, punching their ticket to a historic Finals appearance.
Apr 15, 2026
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