The Cignal HD Spikers found their groove just in time to outlast the Philippine Army Troopers, 25-16, 22-25, 25-18, 24-26, 15-10, to enter the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference semifinals at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Facing a team with a solitary win, the HD Spikers stumbled in the fourth set, succumbing to their own miscues and dragging the match to a fifth frame.
Thanks to high-percentage hitting from Marck Espejo, the HD Spikers sprinted to an 8-3 lead in the fifth set. Army tried to rally back, but ran out of gas in the end to penetrate Cignal’s defense.
Cignal finished with 11 blocks and 11 aces, dominating Army who only had five in both categories.
Cignal head coach Oliver Almadro stressed the need for the defending champions to remain prepared despite the long break due to their outright semis berth.
“We can’t relax eh. We can’t look at this as rest for us. We have to take this as an opportunity to keep getting better,” said Almadro.
Espejo finished with 28 points off 23 attacks, four aces, and a block. Opposite hitter Ysay Marasigan added 16 points.
Cignal moves on to the semis along with Vice Co.
PJ Rojas topped the Troopers with 16 points while John Depamaylo and Ben Labide managed 11 markers, each.
Army joins Air Force, PLDT, and IEM in the round robin quarterfinals.
The Scores
Cignal (3) – Espejo 28, Marasigan 16, Miguel 11, Torres 8, Intal 5, Bonono 3, Sto. Tomas 2, Capate 1, Mangulabnan 1, Pertierra 1, Polvorosa 0, Montero (L)
Army (2) – Rojas 16, Depamaylo J. 11, Labide 11, Torres 9, Ramirez 6, Villonson 5, Barrica 2, Baloaloa 1, Reyes M. 1, Bayking 0, Reyes E. (L), Uy (L)
