PGJC-Navy pulled off the biggest upset yet in the 2022 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference after becoming the first team to take down Cignal in almost three years.
A set away from ending the HD Spikers’ 16-game winning streak, the Sealions crawled back from an eight-point deficit in the fourth frame. Then they pulled the upset rug from under the reigning champions.
Leading the fightback was PGJC-Navy playmaker EJ Casaña, whose steady hands from the service line guided the Sealions back in the match. He engineered a 7-0 run while at the service line, which turned into an 11-2 run that gave his team a 23-22 lead.
Marck Espejo tried to bring Cignal back, but Ronniel Rosales and Jau Umandal delivered the lethal blows. That then sealed the four-set, 20-25, 25-19, 25-22, 25-23 victory at the Paco Arena.
Besides his loaded services, the former Perpetual setter was also the calming presence that the team needed during the final stretch of the fourth set.
“Sobrang saya kasi champion team sila, back-to-back pa. Lalo na nung fourth set, akala namin nila coach wala na. Pero ang ginawa ko na lang is pinasok ko lang yung service hanggang sa manalo kami,” said Casaña, who provided 18 excellent sets and five points.
“Nung una sa fourth set, sobrang layo e. Sabi ko, sige lang, sige lang. Nung nag-huddle kami sa gitna, sabi ko isa-isahin lang namin, ‘di pa tapos ‘yan. Ang naging mindset namin, i-pasok lang yung service, block lang tao, i-sigurado lang lahat, walang error,” he added.
Casaña admitted that he almost lost hope but felt glad to see his team bounce back against the powerhouse Cignal side.
“Ayun, ‘di ko inexpect na sa’min pa talaga napunta yung game. And sobrang proud ako sa mga teammates ko kasi ‘di lang naman ako yung nagpanalo, lahat kami,” said Casaña. “Pinractice namin yun e. Training pa lang na walang mage-error kasi yun yung magpapanalo samin.”
Meanwhile, PGJC-Navy head coach Cecil Cruzada had nothing but good words for his prized playmaker, whom she assigned as the team’s ‘driver.’
“Malaking bagay talaga si EJ kasi nga dina-dala niya yung mga spikers niya. Siya kasi yung inatasan ko na maging driver e,” said Cruzada.
“Kumbaga, sabi ko siya yung driver bahala na siya pasunurin yung mga spikers. Malaki yung tiwala ko sa kaniya.”
