Unfazed by its straight-sets setback to Capital1 that denied it a Top 3 finish in the first round of preliminaries, Cignal roared back with renewed purpose, toppling Akari, 25-21, 23-25, 25-20, 25-20, in the PVL Reinforced Conference Thursday night at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

The victory not only put the Super Spikers back on track but also showcased the team’s much-improved local support – something that was missing in their previous performance against the Solar Spikers. With the win, Cignal leveled its carry-over record to 3-3, tying Akari at seventh as the heated race to the Top 8 quarterfinal berths intensified.

Earlier, Creamline boosted its own playoff bid with a four-set victory over Nxled for a 4-2 card.

After struggling to find rhythm and consistency in their previous outing, Cignal’s homegrown talents rose to the occasion. Erika Santos erupted for 19 points, displaying aggressive attacking and steady floor defense, while Ishie Lalongisip bounced back from a two-point showing against Capital1 to deliver a solid 11 markers built on timely hits.

But once again, it was Slovak import Katrin Trebichavska who anchored the Super Spikers with a composed and consistent 25-point performance. Her steady scoring, decision-making and court awareness provided the foundation upon which Cignal’s locals built their mended confidence and offensive balance.

After the match, Trebichavska, who also finished with nine excellent digs and seven receptions, credited her teammates and the fans’ energy for fueling her consistent performance, saying their support gave her the push to deliver when it mattered most.

The Super Spikers had to weather an early storm in the fourth set before seizing control for good at 15-11, displaying composure and poise down the stretch. Akari tried to mount a late rally, closing in at 19-21 off consecutive Camille Victoria aces, but Cignal kept its focus.

Trebichavska responded in the clutch with back-to-back points, then Lalongisip and Jackie Acuña capped the win with a well-timed hit and a decisive slide attack, respectively, completing the two-hour, three-minute triumph.

Roselyn Aquino also delivered early and finished with 12 markers while Acuña and setter Gel Cayuna added seven and four points, respectively.

Annie Mitchem set the pace for Akari with 22 points, while Fifi Sharma put in another impressive showing with 13 markers, and Grethcel Soltones added eight points. But Eli Soyud struggled for only seven points after scoring 15 markers against the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles.

With the win, Cignal, which outslugged Akari in attacks, 63-50, proved that when its locals find their rhythm alongside their import’s steady production, the Super Spikers remain a dangerous threat in the playoff picture.

Cignal set the tone early with a strong start, dictating the tempo and pace before holding firm at the finish to complete a wire-to-wire four-point victory in Set 1.

The Super Spikers came out sharp, showing no signs of the sting from their previous loss. They surged to a 5-1 lead and stayed in command throughout, stretching the gap to as many as five points midway through the frame. The Chargers managed to close in at 21-23 late in the set, but that was as close as they would get.

Lalongisip, foiled in her first attempt, then delivered on her second try, blasting through Akari’s double block to bring Cignal to set point. The Chargers, who had placed third in pool play despite a five-set loss to the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles in their previous outing, ultimately yielded the frame after Ced Domingo failed to convert a poor set into a clean attack.

The Chargers, however, leveled the match with a spirited rally in Set 2, overturning a 20-22 deficit with a stirring 5-1 closing run anchored by Domingo and Annie Mitchem and capped by Fifi Sharma’s emphatic block on Trebichavska.

Akari quickly returned the favor, snatching five of the first six points in an intriguing momentum shift. The Chargers even stretched the lead to six, but the Super Spikers refused to back down, clawing their way back to tie the count at 14 on a Santos block against Chenie Tagaod.

Cignal looked poised to go up 2-0 after Acuña scored on a quick attack and Vanie Gandler powered through the block for a 22-20 advantage.

But Domingo answered with her own quick hit before Mitchem fired back-to-back attacks to draw level. Gandler momentarily put Cignal back on top with a thunderous spike, only for Mitchem to respond with a sharp crosscourt blast.

Moments later, Gandler misfired on an attempt she hoped would mirror her earlier success, giving the Chargers the edge.

Then, at the crucial juncture, Sharma rose to the occasion – timing Trebichavska’s swing perfectly for a solid, match-turning block that sent the ball crashing onto Cignal’s court.

Cignal regrouped in the pivotal third set, using another strong start at 7-4 to seize control and pull away to 17-9. The Chargers mounted a late rally, closing in at 19-23 after a Kamille Cal service ace, but Santos delivered a crucial block against Mitchem to bring the Super Spikers to set point.

Akari managed to save one point on a quick Sharma dump, but Mitchem faltered under pressure, sending her serve long and handing Cignal a crucial 2-1 set advantage.

Trebichavska spearheaded Cignal’s surge, scoring off several block touches and capping her stretch with a well-placed drop shot. The Chargers attempted another late comeback but couldn’t replicate their earlier fightback, struggling to sustain their offense while failing to contain the Super Spikers’ import’s relentless assault.