Defending champion Cignal overcame a third-set stumble to secure a four-set victory and eliminate Alpha Insurance, 25-19, 25-20, 19-25, 25-20, in the 2025 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference on Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
The HD Spikers closed the eliminations with back-to-back victories, entering the round-robin semifinals as the second seed with an impressive 8-2 record in the tournament organized by Sports Vision.
Cignal’s straight-set victory over the Protectors also assured VNS-Laticrete, who will play Savouge later in the day, the fourth and last slot in the playoffs — set to begin this Sunday.
With most of their starters on minute restrictions, Vince Abrot and Martin Bugaoan rose to the challenge, providing the much-needed firepower to fend off Alpha Insurance.
Abrot led the charge with a game-high 15 points, tallying eight attacks, four kill blocks, and three service aces, while also contributing 10 excellent receptions and six excellent digs.
Meanwhile, Bugaoan added 12 points, including five of the team’s 15 total blocks, in the one-hour and 40-minute contest.
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“At least nakikita namin na going to the semifinals, may mga bala pa kami,” said Cignal head coach Dexter Clamor, referring to second stringers Abrot and Bugaoan.
“May mga pwede kaming hugutin na makakatulong sa amin. Kung mapapansin niyo, hindi ko masyadong pinasok ‘yung first six kasi starting yesterday hanggang Sunday, tuloy tuloy ‘yung magiging laro at training namin,” he added.
Despite a strong fightback in the third set, led by the younger Bugaoan — who scored six points in an 8-1 run that turned a 10-16 deficit into an 18-17 lead — the HD Spikers failed to close it out in straight sets.
JM Apolinario, Edward Camposano, and Vincent Nadera countered with an 8-1 finishing kick of their own, forcing a fourth set.
Cignal surged to a 7-2 start in the fourth set and thwarted every comeback attempt by Alpha Insurance to secure their eighth win in the elimination round of the tournament, supported by ArenaPlus and Mikasa.
JM Ronquillo tallied 11 markers, while Louie Ramirez added 10 points on top of 11 excellent receptions to round out the double-digit performers for the HD Spikers.
The semifinals will kick off on Sunday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
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On the other hand, the Protectors had a slim chance of making it to the semifinals heading into the match. They finished their maiden campaign with a 2-8 record.
Nadera, who had been stellar for Alpha Insurance all tournament long, posted a game-high 16 points.
Camposano added 15 markers on 11 attacks, three blocks, and one ace to go along with nine excellent receptions.
