The Cignal HD Spikers dominated fellow contenders Philippine Air Force Jet Spikers, 25-20, 25-16, 25-10, for their second win in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at the Batangas City Coliseum.
Cignal raced to quick leads in each set, stifling Air Force’s reception and floor defense. Cignal held the Jet Spikers to a season-low 22 attack points, while serving three aces.
Head coach Oliver Almadro lauded his players’ quick response to adversity after surrendering their first loss to PLDT last week.
“I guess ‘yung resiliency ng mga players coming from a loss last week played a big factor. Medyo hindi maganda ‘yung pagkatalo namin last week. Good thing ‘yung mga players nag-respond sa mga call ko to step up,” said the fiery mentor.
“Hindi pwedeng puro talent, they have to combine talent with effort. Kita naman, ‘yung mga unexpected ko mag-deliver, nag-deliver,” he added. “Everybody contributed well. Ngayon sabay-sabay nag-step up ‘yung mga players. Siguro nagulat din ‘yung Air Force. Pero, sabi ko nga, hindi dito natatapos eh. We have to level up every game, every practice.”
Four-time PVL Most Valuable Player Marck Espejo powered in 17 points while going 8-for-11 on reception for to lead Cignal. Middle blocker Rex Intal managed 10 points off four attacks and six blocks.
Ranran Abdilla had an off-game, but his eight points were the most that any Jet Spiker scored.
The HD Spikers (2-1) face IEM (2-1) on May 30 at the FilOil Flying V Centre. Air Force (1-2) try to snap their two-game slide also against IEM on June 3.
The Scores
Cignal (3) – Espejo 17, Intal 10, Marasigan 7, Miguel 6, Torres 5, Faytaren 2, Capate 1, Mangulabnan 1, Polvorosa 1, Pertierra 0, Montero (L)
Air Force (0) – Abdilla 8, Ismail 7, Labrador 3, Mojica 3, Fuentes 2, Jeruz 2, Tolentino 2, Balse 1, Malabanan 1, De Ocampo 0, Dimaculangan 0, Mangaring (L)
