Error-plagued Cignal bucked a slow start to turn back PGJC-Navy in four sets, 19-25, 25-17, 25-17, 25-17 for its fourth consecutive win in the 2025 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference, Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
The HD Spikers struggled to find their rhythm in the opening set, committing 14 errors, but bounced back to dominate the next three sets, fending off the Sealions to temporarily claim the top spot with a 4-0 record in the tournament organized by Sports Vision.
Cignal closed the game by running away late in the fourth set, unleashing a blistering 6-0 run led by Jau Umandal to stretch a 16-12 advantage to a 10-point, 22-12 lead. The HD Spikers never looked back and sealed the win after an hour and 43 minutes of play.
(C) Spikers Turf Images
“Wala sa focus eh during the first set. Masyadong complacent. During the warm up pa lang marami ng ibang bagay na ginagawa na hindi naman dapat, so ‘yun ang na-call out ko agad during the first set,” said Cignal head coach Dexter Clamor.
“Ayun, kita sa performance nila ng first set. 14 unforced errors kami, sobrang hindi makatarungan. ‘Yan ang iko-call out ko sa kanila mamaya,” he added, as the team had a total of 35 errors in the match.
Umandal top scored for the HD Spikers with 18 points, 17 of which came from attacks, to go along with nine excellent receptions, while Steven Rotter, despite sitting out the fourth set, finished with 15 points.
Wendel Miguel supplied 13 points to go along with six excellent digs, while JM Ronquillo and Martin Bugaoan added nine and eight points, respectively, as Cignal moved on the verge of sweeping the first round of the tourney, which is also backed by Arena Plus and Mikasa.
Owa Retamar dished out 19 excellent sets in three sets played, while Vince Lorenzo registered 15 excellent digs.
Cignal faces rival Criss Cross in a rematch of the Open and Invitational Conference finals on Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
(C) Spikers Turf Images
On the other hand, Navy remained at the fourth spot with a 1-3 win-loss record.
John Ashley Jacob paced the Sealions–who are still without top spiker Joeven Dela Vega–with 13 points on nine attacks and three blocks, while Peter Quiel and Greg Dolor each had 10 markers.
Navy looks to arrest its two-game slide versus Alpha Insurance also on Wednesday, 3:30 p.m.
