Cignal reclaims top spot after sweep of PLDT  powered by Gel Cayuna’s all-around play 

Momentum in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference has proven fragile—and on Tuesday night, Cignal reminded everyone just how quickly the standings can shift.

Reasserting its composure after a recent stumble, the Cignal Super Spikers delivered one of their most disciplined performances of the conference, dismantling the PLDT High Speed Hitters, 25-21, 25-19, 25-23, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.

But beyond the sweep, the result carried deeper implications: the race to the semifinals is now fully open.

With PLDT absorbing its first defeat after building early momentum, no team remains in position for a clean preliminary-round run. The path to an outright Final Four berth—once seemingly within reach for select contenders—has turned into a week-to-week grind where consistency outweighs streaks.

Cignal, meanwhile, continues to show a curious pattern: regardless of form or circumstance, it repeatedly finds ways to neutralize PLDT.

This latest victory echoed their upset sweep of the High Speed Hitters in last season’s Reinforced Conference, reinforcing a matchup dynamic that has quietly tilted in Cignal’s favor.

At the center of the Super Spikers’ control was setter Gel Cayuna, who blended orchestration and opportunistic scoring to dictate the match’s rhythm. Cayuna finished with 18 excellent sets and nine points, repeatedly catching PLDT off guard with her signature 1-2 plays while maintaining balance across Cignal’s attacking options.

She credited their composure and discipline for the dominant showing.“Sinunod lang namin ang game plan at strategy ni coach,” said Cayuna, referring to coach Shaq Delos Santos after earning Best Player of the Game honors. “Sa apat na games, natutunan na naming i-control ang sarili namin, lalo na sa mga dikitang laban (We simply followed coach Shaq’s game plan and strategy. In our past four games, we’ve learned how to control ourselves better, especially in tight matches).”

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ALL-AROUND GEL!

: CIGNAL vs. PLDT HOME FIBER

Watch the games on:
: One Sports | One Sports+
: Pilipinas Live
: https://t.co/ihdl9Qn3VC#PVL2026 | #TheHeartOfVolleyball pic.twitter.com/3YVu0QzgS9

— Premier Volleyball League (@pvlph) February 24, 2026

Used to playing a dual role as playmaker and scorer, Cayuna said her aggressiveness comes naturally—but it’s made possible by the trust within the team.

“Sanay na akong mag-contribute kung saan kailangan,” she added. “Pero nagagawa ko iyon dahil sa suporta ng mga teammates ko (I’m used to contributing wherever I’m needed. But I’m able to do that because of my teammates’ support).”

While Cayuna controlled tempo, Cignal’s offensive depth steadily wore PLDT down. Erika Santos led the scoring charge with 17 points, supported by Vanie Gandler with 14. Contributions from Ishie Lalongisip, Roselyn Aquino, and Jackie Acuña ensured Cignal maintained pressure across rotations.

Equally crucial was the defensive stability anchored by Dawn Catindig, whose floor coverage disrupted PLDT’s rhythm and fueled transition scoring.

Cignal outgunned PLDT in total attacks, 48-39, and exploited reception lapses to produce six service aces—small advantages that compounded over the course of the match.

PLDT still showed flashes of resistance. Savi Davison paced the High Speed Hitters with 14 points, while Kim Dy added 11. Alleiah Malaluan and Mika Reyes chipped in eight and seven markers, respectively.

Their late push in the third set nearly extended the match after trimming a six-point deficit to one, but Cignal responded with composed shot-making—highlighted by Santos’ clutch off-the-block hits before Cayuna sealed the contest with a perfectly timed setter dump.

PLDT challenged the final play for a net violation, but the call stood, confirming another straight-sets victory for Cignal. 

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