Cignal showcased its flair for toppling previously unbeaten opponents, stunning ZUS Coffee, 25-12, 26-24, 25-23, to strengthen its quarterfinal bid in the PVL Reinforced Conference at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Thursday.

It was a statement victory for the Super Spikers, who drew strength from a balanced, composed attack and a renewed sense of urgency in the final stretch of the eliminations.

Erika Santos rose to the occasion with a 19-point explosion built on 13 attacks, three aces, and three blocks – none more crucial than her final two points that shattered a tense 23-all count in the third set. Her final rejection on Chinnie Arroyo sealed the one-hour, 21-minute sweep and punctuated Cignal’s rise from the middle of the standings into solo fifth at 4-3.

“Siguro na-apply lang namin ‘yung mga ginawa namin sa training,” said Santos, who credited the team’s consistency and focus for their breakthrough. “Ang mindset namin ay wala nang atrasan kasi ‘yung remaining games namin are crucial for us ngayon na nasa baba kami.”

Her poise during the closing moments of the last two sets underscored how Cignal has grown more comfortable under pressure – something that had eluded them earlier in the conference.

“Sobrang nakaka-proud ang team kasi talaga namang pinag-hirapan nila,” said Cignal coach Shaq delos Santos, commending his wards’ gritty performance. “Sobrang saya ko dahil ‘yun talaga ang goal namin, pero ang maganda kasi, mas nag-focus kami sa proseso at kung paano namin maisasagawa nang tama.”

While import Anna DeBeer tried to rally the Thunderbelles with a fiery 26-point performance, it was Cignal’s locals who dictated the tempo. Vanie Gandler came alive in the third set to deliver key blows, while Roselyn Aquino and Jackie Acuña chipped in six points apiece.

But it was Cignal’s net defense that truly set the tone. The Super Spikers recorded a staggering nine kill blocks compared to ZUS Coffee’s lone rejection, repeatedly shutting down DeBeer’s trademark crosscourt rockets.

The numbers told the story: Cignal also outhit ZUS Coffee, 45-36, and exploited the Thunderbelles’ erratic reception to tally seven service aces – five more than their opponents.

Playmaker Gel Cayuna once again showcased her all-around brilliance, finishing with 21 excellent sets and contributing six points, including well-timed 1-2 attacks that disrupted ZUS Coffee’s defensive schemes. She also tallied seven excellent digs, complementing libero Dawn Catindig’s 16.

Cayuna’s quick thinking and precision passing anchored Cignal’s fluid offense, while her defensive grit embodied the team’s growing discipline.

Thursday’s victory not only improved Cignal’s record but also marked their second straight upset of an unbeaten squad, having ended PLDT’s 15-game winning streak last Oct. 21 – while playing all-Filipino – a streak that included two championship runs in the PVL On Tour and the Invitational Conference.

That win served as a turning point. Since then, Cignal has regained its rhythm, finding the right balance between aggression and composure. With back-to-back wins – first over Akari in four sets, and now this stunning sweep of ZUS Coffee – the Super Spikers have suddenly become one of the most dangerous teams heading into the knockout quarterfinals of the year-ending conference organized by Sports Vision and backed by ICTSI, Milcu, Mikasa and Fabriano.

Now sitting in solo fifth, Cignal’s next challenge will be against powerhouse Creamline next Tuesday – a test that could define their playoff future.

Despite remaining on top with a 6-1 record, the loss exposed vulnerabilities in the once-untouchable ZUS Coffee side. DeBeer carried much of the offensive load with little local support, as Thea Gagate managed just five points, while AC Miner and Arroyo were limited to three apiece.

The Thunderbelles’ usually solid passing and coverage faltered under Cignal’s relentless service pressure and quick transitions.

After cruising through the opening set, Cignal survived a tense second-frame duel. The Super Spikers squandered two set points but regained composure, with Cayuna setting up Acuña for an uncontested slide attack before Trebichavska sealed the deal with a clever service ace.

A rout followed by a nail-biter put Cignal in firm control, and the Super Spikers never relented, completing a rare straight-sets sweep of the previously unbeaten Thunderbelles – a win that keeps their playoff hopes alive and kicking.