Coming off a high from winning the inaugural conference just two weeks ago, the Cignal HD Spikers showed no signs of letting up, making quick work of the Café Lupe Sunrisers, 25-19, 25-18, 25-13, Sunday morning at the Filoil Flying V Centre.
And with Mark Alfafara, Herschel Ramos, Saku Capate, and Bonjomar Castel leaving the team later in the month to fulfill their National Team duties, Cignal head coach Oliver Almadro knows that they need to bank as many wins as they can.
“I’m very happy we won. Siyempre, this is just the start pero maraming mangyayare this conference,” said the multi-titled mentor. “May players ako na mawawala for National Team duties so it’s important talaga to get as many wins as we can.”
Alfafara scored eight points, playing in just the first two sets, while Capate added nine markers. But it was Peter Torres who led the way for Team Awesome with 10 points, nine from attacks and an ace.
“I trust my players. Marami kaming mga nasa bench that are very talented and I’m very lucky to have them kasi I know that they will be ready,” Almadro added, as the team’s depth will be tested this conference.
All throughout the game, the HD Spikers did not let up, exposing Café Lupe’s porous floor defense as they finished with 42 points off attacks. Moreover, Cignal were able to limit their errors to just 17.
“Ngayon, nakita na nila ‘yung sinasabi kong culture from last conference. The winning attitude is important for us. More and more we’re getting used to it,” said Almadro, who was visibly pleased with the way they won.
Former UP Fighting Maroon Mac Millete paced the Sunrisers with 12 points.
Cignal will next face the Sta. Elena Wrecking Balls on Saturday, July 8, while Café Lupe looks to stun the upstart Megabuilders Volley Bolt on Wednesday, July 5.
The Scores:
Cignal (3) – Torres 10, Capate 9, Alfafara 8, Intal 7, Mangulabnan 5, Marasigan 4, Bonono 4, Faytaren 2, Villanueva 1, Diezmo 0, Ramos H. 0, Ramos J. 0, Montero (L).
Cafe Lupe (0) – Millee 12, Adorador 7, San Pascual 5, Magdaong 3, Sioson 2, Castillo 1, Ebrahim 1, Magdayong 1, Lim 1, Chua (L), Magadan (L).
