Cignal Shocks ZUS Coffee, Super Spikers Catch Fire in QF Push

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by Misha Cruz

Erika Santos (8) and the Super Spikers celebrate during their game against ZUS Coffee.
Erika Santos (8) and the Super Spikers celebrate during their game against ZUS Coffee. Photo: PVL Images.

Cignal is officially that team — the one you don’t want to meet when you’re undefeated and feeling comfy. 

The Super Spikers unleashed another giant-slayer performance, stunning ZUS Coffee in straight sets, 25–12, 26–24, 25–23, Thursday night at the Big Dome to supercharge their quarterfinal bid in the PVL Reinforced Conference.

From the jump, Cignal played with the urgency of a squad fighting for every inch of playoff ground. The vibe? Composed, locked-in, and hungry.

Erika Santos was absolutely in her bag, dropping 19 points on a mix of heat-seeking attacks, three aces, and three massive blocks — including the last two points of the match when things got tight at 23-all in the third. Her final roof on Chinnie Arroyo was a full-on mic drop that wrapped up the sweep in just 81 minutes.

“Lahat ng ginagawa namin sa training, in-apply lang talaga namin,” Santos said, noting that the team came in knowing they couldn't afford to slip, not with the standings this tight. “Mindset namin: walang atrasan.”

Cignal's Gel Cayuna (22) and Erika Santos (8).
Cignal's Gel Cayuna (22) and Erika Santos (8). Photo: PVL Images.

And honestly? It showed. Cignal looked totally transformed from the inconsistent squad we saw early in the tournament — this version thrives in pressure moments.

Head coach Shaq delos Santos couldn’t hide his pride. “Sobrang proud ako sa team. Ang pinanggalingan namin, ang dami naming adjustments. Pero nag-focus kami sa proseso, not just the result.”

While ZUS Coffee import Anna DeBeer lit up the stat sheet with 26 points, the Thunderbelles couldn’t keep pace with Cignal’s balance. Vanie Gandler delivered timely bombs in the third set, while Roselyn Aquino and Jackie Acuña chipped in six each.

But the real story? NET. DEFENSE. Cignal built a wall up front with nine kill blocks — compared to just one from ZUS Coffee. Every time DeBeer hammered a crosscourt missile, a red jersey seemed to be waiting for it.

ZUS Coffee's Anna DeBeer (18) spikes the ball against Cignal.
ZUS Coffee's Anna DeBeer (18) spikes the ball against Cignal. Photo: PVL Images.

The stats were all Cignal: +9 in attacks, +5 in aces, and they repeatedly feasted on ZUS Coffee’s shaky reception.

Setter Gel Cayuna once again flexed her all-around genius with 21 excellent sets, crafty 1-2 dumps, and seven digs. With libero Dawn Catindig anchoring the floor, Cignal’s system ran buttery smooth.

This win marks Cignal’s second straight upset of a previously unbeaten team — remember when they ended PLDT’s 15-game streak? Since then, it’s been win over Akari, and now this statement sweep over ZUS Coffee.

Now at 4–3 and holding solo fifth, Cignal’s next big test comes on Tuesday vs. powerhouse Creamline.

ZUS Coffee stays on top at 6–1, but for the first time this conference, the Thunderbelles looked rattled — and Cignal made sure everyone saw it.