Defending champion Cignal kicked off the Spikers’ Turf Invitational title retention drive with a hard-fought 25-23, 25-15, 27-29, 25-14 win over VNS on Monday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Despite the victory, head coach Dexter Clamor was the first to lament the Super Spikers’ performance against the youthful Griffins.
“Hindi ito ‘yung ineensayo namin, hindi ito ‘yung hinahanap namin kasi kami ‘yung defending champion eh so dapat ang first game namin dapat ipakita namin sa lahat na gustong-gusto namin makuha ‘yung conference na ito. Medyo slow start tapos nakakuha pa sa amin ng set ‘yung VNS,” said Clamor postgame.
He, however, praised the Griffins for the immense challenge they posed to his team.
After VNS captured the third set in a tight finish on back-to-back errors by Cian Silang and Louie Ramirez, 29-27,
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Cignal bounced back to dominate the fourth set, 25-14. Wendel Miguel, Martin Bugaoan, and JP Bugaoan helped restore order and secure the win in two hours.
“In fairness sa VNS talagang ibang team sila ngayon. Talagang tumaas ‘yung level ng paglalaro nila so very commendable naman ang VNS sa laro na ‘to so good job sa coaches and players na maganda ‘yung naging performance nila against us,” added Clamor.
Miguel led the Super Spikers with 17 points, including 14 spikes and three aces, in the league organized by Sports Vision and supported by Alpha Insurance, Premiere EMS, Buffalo’s Wings n’ Things, and Arena Plus.
JM Ronquillo added 15 points on nine attacks, four aces, and two blocks, while Bugaoan contributed 13 points, including two blocks, as Cignal joined Alpha Insurance as early winners. The two teams will face off again on Wednesday at the Paco Arena.
Van Tracy Prudenciado also made a strong debut for Cignal, registering 14-of-21 excellent receptions and 11-of-18 excellent digs.
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For the Griffins, RK Medino and Axel Book led the way with 11 points each as the team looks to rebound on Friday at the Paco Arena against Criss Cross.
Games are aired live on One Sports and One Sports+, as well as through the Pilipinas Live app, which offers video-on-demand options. Matches will also be streamed via spikersturf.ph.
