Cignal's Mylene Paat tests Smart-Army's defense. Handout

MANILA, Philippines—Defending champion Cignal weathered late-game rallies to register a 25-10, 26-24, 25-18 triumph over Smart-Army in the Philippine Superliga (PSL) Invitational Conference on Thursday night at the Strike Gym in Bacoor City.

Rachel Anne Daquis showed that she still has what it takes, as she took over down the stretch to lead the HD Spikers to their second consecutive victory.

Daquis finished with 13 points on seven kills, four blocks, and a pair of aces while also contributing defensively with five digs.

Their most recent win put the HD Spikers just two wins away from gaining an outright semifinals spot in the midseason conference.

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"As I've said before, you'll see a different Daquis. She rotates and spikes everywhere. She is really confident in everything she does," said Cignal head coach Edgar Barroga.

"And I told her that this (Army) was her former team, so they will target you. So we practiced her reception."

Mylene Paat contributed 12 points on seven kills, four blocks and an ace, while Rapril Aguilar and Janine Navarro added five markers apiece while providing the clutch points in the second and third sets, respectively.

"This is how I wanted them to play," said Barroga. "I think they already adjusted, their trust in each other is back, and they're confident."

After a 15-point rout in the opening frame, the HD Spikers had to labor their way through a late fightback from the Giga Hitters in the next two sets.

Cignal squandered a 17-12 lead, as Smart rallied to tie the second set at 20-all off an ace from Alina Bicar. But Aguilar came to their resuce, firing back-to-back hits for a 23-20 cushion before Paat put the HD Spikers at set point, 24-22.

Showing no quit, the Giga Hitters forced a deuce, 24-all, off Tin Francisco's quick hit and an attack error from Daquis.

Again, however, Aguilar came through in the clutch with an attack to put Cignal at set point once more, 25-24, before Smart-Army committed a net violation that gifted the HD Spikers with the two-set lead.

Nene Bautista and Dimdim Pacres delivered six points apiece for the Giga Hitters, who absorbed their first defeat after two matches in Pool B.

(For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.)

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