By: Czarina Agaton
Cignal bounced back from its five-set defeat to Savouge with a commanding performance against Martelli Meats, clinching an easy 25-10, 25-15, 25-12 victory in the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference preliminaries at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig on Wednesday.
Driven by a need to restore their dominance, the HD Spikers showcased superior technique, experience, and depth, overpowering the Master Butchers at every turn and reminding fans why they are the reigning Open Conference champions.
The HD Spikers relied on a well-balanced attack led by JM Ronquillo, who tallied nine points after struggling in the previous game.
Ronquillo, who also added four excellent digs, expressed his determination to bounce back.
“Gusto ko lang makabawi sa last game namin,” he said after clinching the game’s top honors, emphasizing the team’s hunger for redemption.
“We are beatable. So kung magiging complacent kami, lahat ng team gusto kaming talunin. Kami ang defending champion and we’re here for the past 11 years at marami na kaming championship na nakuha,” said Cignal coach Dexter Clamor.
“Credit to Savouge na naglaro sila ng maayos. Sa amin kasi, of course, it’s not an excuse. Pero marami pa kasi sa amin na hindi healthy until now,” he added.
With their highly cohesive and seasoned lineup, Cignal excelled in all aspects of the game. It overshadowed the relatively less-experienced Martelli Meats side in every statistical category – attacks, blocks and overall defense.
The HD Spikers set the tone early with aggressive play and precise blocking while capitalizing on their rivals’ erratic plays, seizing control from the outset of each set and building insurmountable leads.
This dominant performance underscored the disparity in manpower and experience between the two squads, as Martelli Meats struggled to keep pace with Cignal’s relentless pressure.
“Kaya naming mag-perform,” added Ronquillo, addressing critics of the team’s recent performance. He acknowledged the tough loss to Savouge, where Cignal had held a 2-1 lead before succumbing in the fifth set, and expressed optimism for the future.
“Hopefully, makabawi pa kami sa mga susunod na laro,” he added.
The victory improved Cignal’s record to 2-1, placing them in solo fourth behind joint leaders Savouge and DN Steel-FEU (3-0) and Criss Cross (2-0).
The HD Spikers now look forward to an exciting showdown against the Criss Cross King Crunchers on Sunday at the Philsports Arena, where they hope to build on their renewed momentum.
Martelli Meats, meanwhile, dropped to 0-4 in the standings and will have another tough matchup on Nov. 8, when it faces the unbeaten DN Steel-FEU side.
The HD Spikers asserted their dominance from the outset, capitalizing on the Master Butchers’ errors and setting the tone with a swift run.
Cignal closed the first set emphatically, sealing it with a powerful kill block that underscored their control.
In the second frame, Cignal’s middle blockers took charge on both offense and defense, stifling Martelli Meats’ attempts to gain any traction.
The Bugaoan brothers, Martin and JP, combined for back-to-back points that extended Cignal’s lead to 13-9. With their teamwork and precision, they ensured the HD Spikers would never look back, maintaining a comfortable edge.
Cignal’s momentum continued into the third set, where they raced to a 7-0 lead. The reigning Open Conference champions made quick work of the set, finishing the one-hour match with consecutive aces from EJ Casana and a well-timed block by Alfred Valbuena.
Mark Calado also scored nine points, while Casana notched 16 excellent sets, showcasing his playmaking skills.
Libero Vince Lorenzo added stability to Cignal’s defense with four excellent digs.
On the other hand, Martelli Meats struggled to keep up, with Angelo Reyes leading his team with just five points.
Razzel Palisoc managed four attack points and an ace, but the Master Butchers were ultimately outmatched in all aspects by the well-oiled HD Spikers.
