BIÑAN CITY–Cignal HD Spikers fought their way back after a sluggish start to shock the defending champions Petron Blaze Spikers in thrilling five sets, 18-25, 17-25, 25-16, 25-18, 16-14, at the start of the Philippine SuperLiga (PSL) Grand Prix on Saturday at Alonte Sports Arena here.
After losing the first two sets, Cignal imports Ariel Usher and Amanda Anderson, along with Fritz Joy Gallenero found their strides in the third set and propelled their team to comeback win.
The Blaze Spikers were two points away of claiming the win, 13-11 advantage, but Usher equalized the game at 13-all, after two massive cross court kills.
Dindin Santiago-Manabat answered with a quick attack to bring Petron to the matchpoint, 14-13. But the HD Spikers just won’t quit as Anderson nailed a crosscourt spike to tie the game at 14-apiece.
Usher nailed the last two winning daggers, sealing the come-from-behind upset that ended Petron’s 16-game winning streak since 2014.
Usher, a standout in the United States National Collegiate Athletic Association, had an impressive PSL debut with 31 points, including 29 attacks and two blocks while, Anderson chipped in 11 points. Gallenero also rose to the occasion with 14 hits, 12 from attacks and two blocks.
“Actually they [Petron] are strong and experienced, pero siyempre as coach I believe in my players. Sinabi ko sa kanila na dapat yungpatience mahaba, it doesn’t mean na nakuhaan kami ng dalawang sets, tapos na. Alam mo naman sanay ako sa mga fifth set at doon akogumagawa ng paraan,” Cignal Head Coach Sammy Acaylar said.
“We played with no pressure. I said they have to play as one team to contribute and they have to enjoy the game,” he added.
Cignal’simports came out firing in the third set, leading their team to 23-16 spread after erasing a 7-11 deficit.
The momentum shifted on HD Spikers’ side in the fourth set as they continue to deliver their stellar game with a precarious 21-17
lead. Petron committed a bunch of errors to make it easy for Cignal to forge a do-or-die set.
Petron had a blazing start in the first two sets pulling away with a big margin in the opening set, 19-10, and in the second set, 24-15.
Manabat led the charge for the Blaze Spikers with 16 points, while Abi Marano delivered 14 markers in a losing effort. Rachel Anne Daquis, Frances Molina and import Rupia Inck added nine hits each.