Their errors almost kept their opponents alive, but the Cignal HD Spikers had too much firepower for the Café Lupe Sunrisers, taking a four-set win, 23-25, 25-19, 25-16, 25-23, at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
“We’re still trying to develop our cohesiveness. We’re still trying to get into our system and develop our intensity. So far, wala pa kaming intensity,” said Cignal head coach Oliver Almadro, who was fresh off a third straight title with the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, about his squad’s somewhat erratic play that led to 37 errors.
“We’ll work out. ‘Yun bang larong mag-dominate, so far, hindi ko pa nakikita. My players naman are open to that type of intensity,” the three-time UAAP champion coach added.
The HD Spikers battled their miscues with sheer force, as five players scored in double-digits. San Beda standout Saku Capate poured in a game-high 16 points, while former UAAP MVPs Mark Alfafara and Ysay Marasigan each added 12 points. Cignal out-attacked Café Lupe 60-34.
The HD Spikers (2-0) try to keep their winning ways going against Army (2-0) on May 16 at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Jahir Ebrahim led Café Lupe with 14 points, while Joshua Barrica added 11.
Café Lupe dropped their third straight match. The will play their final match on May 25 against the Air Force Jet Spikers (1-0) at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The Scores
Cignal (3) – Capate 16, Alfafara 12, Marasigan 12, Castel 11, Torres 11, Faytaren 3, Mangulabnan 3, Bonono 1, Diezmo 0, Montero (L)
Cafe Lupe (1) – Ebrahim 14, Barrica 11, Sioson 7, Doliente 6, Liberato 4, Sebastian 3, Hizon 1, Evangelista 0, Flores 0, Reolalas 0, Chua (L)
