Louie Ramirez unleashed his full arsenal, hammering every ball that came his way as he carried Cignal past a resilient Alpha Insurance squad in a thrilling five-set battle, 20-25, 25-22, 21-25, 25-23, 15-11, in the 2025 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference on Wednesday at the Paco Arena.
Ramirez scored 10 of his 23 points in the decisive fifth set, leading the Super Spikers’ furious comeback from a 3-6 deficit to complete a pulsating rally — their second straight win — and claim the early lead in the league organized by Sports Vision.
“Simula nung fourth set, sinabi ko ibabalik ko ‘yung tiwala na binigay sa’kin ng coaches at mga teammates ko,” said the former league Finals MVP.
“Kasi alam ko sobrang pangit ng laro ko nung first game namin, nung first set hanggang sumunod. Nung binalik ako, sabi ko babawi ako para sa mga teammates ko at mga coaches ko,” he added.
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The Protectors, still smarting from their narrow four-set loss that could have secured them the win, came out swinging in the decider — racing to a 6-3 lead behind a strong start capped by back-to-back blocks from Rocky Motol on Lloyd Josafat and Ramirez.
But Ramirez was ready. He responded with a down-the-line kill and two thunderous back-row hits, sparking Cignal’s 6-0 run that turned a three-point deficit into a 9-6 lead — a turning point in the set.
The teams traded points after that, until Ramirez broke the deadlock with a clever push and followed it up with a crucial block on Francis Casas, giving the Super Spikers match point with a 14-10 advantage.
Motol tried to breathe life back into Alpha Insurance with an emphatic off-the-block hit, but Ramirez sealed the win with a sharp cross-court attack after two hours and nine minutes of intense action.
“Well, si Louie 10 points in the fifth set. So what can I say? So I will give all the credits kay Louie, maganda ‘yung performance niya tonight,” said Super Spikers head coach Dexter Clamor.
Team captain JP Bugaoan added 15 points on 11 attacks and four of the team’s 18 kill blocks, while JM Ronquillo and Josafat contributed 11 and 10 points, respectively, as the Super Spikers notched back-to-back victories in the tournament supported by Alpha Insurance, Premiere EMS, Buffalo’s Wings n’ Things, and Arena Plus.
Cignal now braces for a much-anticipated clash against rival Criss Cross on Sunday at 6 p.m. at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
(C) Spikers Turf Images
Meanwhile, the Protectors — who recorded just two wins in their debut conference — came heartbreakingly close to matching that mark in only their second game of the Invitationals, only to fall short and drop to 1-1.
Motol led Alpha Insurance’s effort with 18 points on 13 attacks, four blocks, and one ace, along with 33 excellent receptions, while Casas and Barbie San Andres posted 17 and 16 points, respectively. Vince Himzon and Billie Anima also contributed 12 and 10 points, respectively, in the loss.
The Protectors look to bounce back when they face Far Eastern University-DN Steel on Sunday at 2 p.m.
Games are aired live on One Sports and One Sports+, as well as via the Pilipinas Live app, which offers video-on-demand options. Matches will also be streamed on spikersturf.ph.
