Cignal boasts one of the most talented, if not the best, set of playmakers in the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference.
Finally, head coach Dexter Clamor is now beginning to unlock their full potential.
Clamor admitted that the team initially struggled to adjust to the varying styles of setters Owa Retamar, EJ Casaña, and Cian Silang. However, the HD Spikers have made significant progress as they gear up for the round-robin semifinals.
“Nung una very challenging kasi nahihirapan ‘yung mga spikers mag-adjust. Kasi kapag paiba-iba ‘yung setter, iba-iba ‘yung tempo, iba-iba ‘yung tapon. But ngayon nakikita ko na sila ng good connection kahit sinong setter ang gamitin,” shared Clamor, a four-time Spikers’ Turf champion coach.
Retamar, who joined the team during the offseason, is widely regarded as the top setter in the country. He has earned multiple championships in both the UAAP and Spikers’ Turf and is also a mainstay of the Alas Pilipinas national team.
(C) Spikers Turf Images
Meanwhile, Silang is the reigning Open Conference Best Setter, while Casaña played a crucial role in Cignal’s successful campaign in the 2023 tournament.
The former National University star, Retamar, seems to have cemented his role as the starting setter after beginning the conference on the bench, with Casaña now serving as his backup.
(C) Spikers Turf Images
“It’s good that I have the best setters. Actually si Cian [Silang], best setter siya nung nakaraang liga. Tapos si EJ also best setter din. Now I have the best setter in the UAAP, ‘di ba? So very talented ‘yung mga setters ko,” said Clamor.
Despite their improvement, Clamor is pushing for an even more refined connection as the team prepares to face Criss Cross, FEU-DN Steel, Savouge, and a guest foreign squad in the semifinals.
“Meron na silang polished [connection], pero ‘di pa rin kami nasa-satisfy. Kailangan lahat ng galaw kung pwede perfect. Again, nung una challenging but now nakukuha na namin ‘yung rhythm ng bawat isa,” he emphasized.
