The back-to-back championship-seeking Cignal HD Spikers did not need to showcase their depth, as the team’s core showcased its experience over the young Megabuilders Volley Bolts in a four-set Game One win, 25-23, 25-21, 25-19, 25-17, Wednesday afternoon at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
“One down, but it’s not yet done,” said multi-titled mentor Oliver Almadro. “To get the championship, you need to win two games. The job is not yet done. We have to step up pa.”
Cignal HD avenged their elimination round loss to the Megabuilders last July 19. During that game, Cignal did not have the services of three national team stalwarts, while the NU-powered Megabuilders had been without Bryan Bagunas.
This time, though, Almadro decided to give Mark Alfafara limited time, while Herschel Ramos and Bonjomar Castel did not play at all. It was Ysay Marasigan who stepped up for Cignal, finishing with a game-high 21 points, 16 coming from attacks, four from aces, and a kill block.
“Expected na yan from Ysay. He was my team captain way back in Ateneo,” Almadro remarked about Marasigan. “Maganda rin yung tandem nila ni Vince [Mangulabnan], well, everybody. Yung mix ng Cignal, di sila sobrang powerful individually, pero nag-eentangle yung thinking nila with each other.”
Edmar Bonono and Peter Torres chipped in 14 and 11 points respectively, while Mangulabnan glued things together for Cignal with 43 excellent sets.
Besides dropping the second set, the HD Spikers were on point with their attacks, scoring 53 points on attacks. Moreover, the Megabuilders uncharacteristically committed 28 errors in the contest.
“Sabi ko, before you win, you have to believe you can win. Hindi pwedeng puro power, hindi pwedeng puro talent,” Almadro said about the second set loss.
Cignal raced to an early 20-9 lead in the deciding set. Errors by the Volley Bolts helped Cignal take the 1-0 advantage.
Bagunas led the Megabuilders with 14 points while skipper Francis Saura chipped in 13 markers.
Game Two will take place on Saturday, August 12 at 1:00pm.
In an earlier game, the Philippine Air Force Airmen took Game One of the bronze medal series, taking a four-setter against the Sta. Elena Wrecking Balls, 25-22, 25-22, 23-25, 25-16.
Skipper Jeffrey Malabanan powered Air Force with 19 points, while Rudolfo Labrador and Howard Mojica had 14 markers, as the Airmen lambasted Sta. Elena’s floor defense, scoring 53 points on attacks.
Berlin Paglinawan paced the Wrecking Balls with 15 points.
The Scores:
Cignal (3) – Marasigan 21, Bonono 14, Torres 11, Capate 9, Intal 9, Mangulabnan 4, Alfafara 0, Castel 0, Montero (L).
Megabuilders (1) – Bagunas 14, Saura 13, Ismail 11, Malabunga 9, Natividad 8, Dayandante 2, Gampong 1, Ogoc 0, Ancheta 0, Marcos (L), Sumagui (L).
