In a match that lasted nearly two and a half hours, the Cignal HD Spikers powered through a tumultuous, five-set affair against the Cocolife Asset Managers, 20-25, 25-13, 25-14, 24-26, 17-15, in the 2018 Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena.
Trailing 14-18 in the fourth set, Cocolife’s coaches and players got fired up both emotionally and physically. The Asset Managers eventually forced a fifth set in which they took a 6-3 lead. From there, Cocolife head coach Moro Branislav was incredibly animated while contesting referee calls, getting tagged with a yellow card after questioning a net touch call.
Cignal HD responded by livening up as well, slowly grinding away at the Cocolife lead while responding vehemently to referee calls. The HD Spikers showed their composure down the stretch, as Rachel Daquis and Royse Tubino provided points that kept them afloat in the deuce. A Cocolife attack error eventually gave the win to Cignal.
“‘Di ko ine-expect na ganoon. Noong medyo naging seryoso na sila (Cocolife), naging seryoso na din ako kasi team na ‘yung pinag-uusapan,” said Cignal HD head coach Edgar Barroga.
Mylene Paat led the HD Spikers with 17 points, while Daquis finished with 12.
Kalei Mau managed a game-high 20 markers. Gyra Barroga added 11 for Cocolife.
Cignal (1-1) will take on the Foton Blue Energy (1-0) on Tuesday, while Cocolife face the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers (1-0) on Thursday. Both matches are scheduled at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The Scores
Cignal HD (3) – Paat 17, Daquis 12, Tubino 12, Navarro 8, Malaluan 7, Doria 6, Vivas 3, Masangkay 2, Macatuno 1, Sante 1, Aguilar 0, Amutan (L), Dionela (L)
Cocolife (2) – Mau 20, Barroga 11, Tiu 10, Angustia 5, Palec 4, Tan 4, Berte 2, Banggad 0, Tongco 0, Yongco 0, Lazaro (L)
