Cignal recovered from a huge meltdown and turned back Criss Cross, 25-21, 25-21, 25-27, 18-25, 15-11, for its second consecutive victory in the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference, Sunday night at the Philsports Arena.
After winning the first two sets, the HD Spikers struggled to close out the game in the third and fourth frames, allowing the King Crunchers to turn what initially seemed like a lopsided match into a competitive battle.
“Happy kami na nanalo pero lumalabas ‘yung nagiging problema namin for the past games na alam namin mananalo na kami, tapos lumalabas ‘yung complacency namin. ‘Yun ‘yung kailangan pa naming i-work out,” said Cignal head coach Dexter Clamor.
The HD Spikers gained control early in the decider, but the reigning Open Conference champs suffered a huge blow when team captain JP Bugaoan suffered from severe cramps after putting his side ahead by four points, 7-3, that was eventually stretched to five, 9-4.
Bugaoan had to be stretchered off the court and was taken to the nearest hospital. With the veteran middle blocker out, his younger brother, Martin Bugaoan, was inserted and made an immediate impact for Cignal.
Criss Cross went on a 5-1 run built on back-to-back errors from rookie JM Ronquillo to cut the lead to two, but Jau Umandal and the younger Bugaoan anchored a 3-0 run that put their side ahead, 13-18.
The HD Spikers committed a net touch, but Bugaoan continued to make his presence felt and went for a quick attack that pushed the Cignal at match point.
Ronquillo and Umandal’s attack sailed out in the ensuing plays before Mark Calado sealed the win with an emphatic cross-court kill.
“Yung kuya niya nag-cramps eh, so wala siyang ibang magagawa kundi mag-contribute. Tatlo lang ‘yung middle [blockers] sa game na ‘to. It’s a good mindset na kapag pinasok siya, tutulong siya sa team,” added Clamor of the younger Bugaoan, who finished with two points, all in the fifth.
Louie Ramirez spearheaded the charge for the 3-1 HD Spikers with 19 points, all from attacks, while the pair of Umandal and Ronquillo added 12 points apiece.
The elder Bugaoan ended with 11 points, while Lloyd Josafat tallied eight points.
EJ Casana tossed 18 excellent sets to go along with four points in the two-hour, 15-minute win, while Vince Lorenzo manned the floor with 22 excellent receptions and 11 excellent digs.
Cignal looks to make it three wins in a row against D’Navigators Iloilo on Sunday, 6:00 p.m. at the Ynares Sports Arena.
Meanwhile, Jude Garcia’s 35-point outing went for naught as the King Crunchers slipped to 2-1 in the standings. The reigning Open Conference MVP also had 26 excellent receptions and 11 excellent digs.
Chu Njigha added 11 points built on eight attacks and three blocks, while Francis Saura had seven points.
Criss Cross battles PGJC-Navy on Friday, 4:00 p.m. also at Ynares in Pasig.
