The Cignal HD Spikers clobbered the Sta. Elena Wrecking Balls in straight sets, 25-23, 25-19, 25-21, to finish their preliminaries with undefeated status in the Open Conference of the Spikers’ Turf Season 2, Monday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
Cignal head coach Michael Carino, however, downplayed their hold of the top spot.
“Malaking achievement for us, kasi first time na hawak ko ‘yung Cignal at undefeated kami sa eliminations,” said Carino. “Pero for semifinals, parang [wala lang] ang standings e. Walang benefit ‘yung rank one because best-of-three pa rin e.”
After a close first set, which Cignal grabbed 25-23, the Wrecking Balls looked determined to take the second, tying the set at 10 apiece.
However, a 12-5 run by the HD Spikers capped by a back row hit by Raymark Woo forced Sta. Elena head coach Arnold Laniog to call a timeout.
Woo led either side in scoring with 14 markers, off 13 attacks.
Unforced errors by the Wrecking Balls and a cross court hit by Capate, however, still closed the set for Cignal.
Sta. Elena led early in the final set, 3-2, but six straight points by Cignal helped them gain a five-point lead, 8-3. The HD Spikers never looked back from the small cushion and finished the set, 25-21, topped by two Bonjomar Castel attacks, his only two points.
The semifinal games, which are rematches of the games today, will start in less than two days, with Cignal once again playing the third seed Sta. Elena and the second spot-holder IEM going up against Air Force.
“Ngayon nakita na namjn kung pa’no sila maglaro. Siguro maga-adjust ‘yung [Sta. Elena], pero kami, ready kami. Especially ako, ready ako kasi planado ko na kung ano ‘yung gagawin ko next game,” closed Carino.
The Scores:
Cignal (3) – Woo 14, Capate 9, Marasigan 8, Ramos 4, Faytaren 4, Calasin 3, Bonono 3, Castel 2, Dela Cruz 1, Lansangan 1, Diezmo 0, Mangulabnan 0, Montero (L), Baroy (L)
Sta. Elena (0) – Paglinawan 11, Onia 8, Torres 6, Mandani 4, Relata 3, Honrade 3, Dela Vega 2, Abdulwahab 0, Arbasto 0, Frey 0, Sarmiento 0, Hu (L), Mangaring (L)
