The Cignal HD Spikers opened their title defense bid with a rousing victory over the Instituto Estetica Manila Volley Masters in straight sets, 25-23, 25-20, 26-24, Monday afternoon at Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
The 1-2 punch of Peter Torres and Ysay Marasigan starres for the HD Spikers, scoring 10 points apiece. Vincent Mangulabnan had 28 excellent sets for Cignal.
Both squads maximized their offense through quick attacks and open hits, which made the opening set a tight affair. IEM, behind John Paul Torres’ contributions, were close to winning the set, 21-18, but Cignal’s Marasigan and Torres sparked the HD Spikers’ 7-2 spurt through quick plays to go up 1-0, 25-23.
Cignal sustained momentum in the next set, again by utilizing their quick attacks that exposed IEM’s weak net defense. With IEM drowning in miscues, the HD Spikers led all throughout the set. IEM, however, came back from a 23-15 hole to inch closer, 24-20, but an Edward Ibañez cross-court hit sealed the set for Cignal, 25-20.
Both squads engaged in another see-saw battle in the third and final set, as IEM played with a sense of urgency. The Volley Masters took control of the vast majority of the set, but Cignal kept fighting back. From a 20-all knot, IEM reached set point first, 24-23, but an open hit from Cignal and an error shut down IEM’s hopes and clinched the win for Cignal, 26-24.
Despite the sweep, Cignal head coach Michael Carino still rued his team’s complacency come the closing moments, citing that the team were lax, especially in the third set.
“Medyo nag-relax. Yun naman mga problema ng teams ‘pag alam nilang kaya nila kalaban,” said Carino. “Yun ang problema ko sa team ko, ‘pag up sila 2-0, parang nahihirapan.”
“So yun ang wino-work out namin para sa susunod eh kaya na,” he lamented.
Khenno Franco led the Volley Masters with 13 markers, while Torres added 10.
Cignal (1-0) will have a tough match next as they will face Philippine Air Force on October 10, Monday, at 12:30 PM. IEM (0-1) look to bounce back against the 100plus Active Spikers on Wednesday, October 12, at 12:30.
The Scores:
Cignal (3) – Torres 10, Marasigan 10, Capate 9, Woo 4, Bonono 4, Ybanez 3, Ramos 3, Mangulabnan 2, Faytaren 1, Calasin 0, Montero (L), Dela Cruz (L).
IEM (0) – Franco 13, Torres 10, Zamora 9, Canlas 8, Arbasto 5, Vecina 3, Valenzuela 1, Conde 0, Cerilles 0, Molate 0, Lozada (L), Ramos (L).
