By: Bjorn Del B. Deade
Defending champion Cignal weathered a third-set challenge by PGJC-Navy, 25-17, 25-16, 27-25, to open its title retention bid in the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference with a sweep at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum on Wednesday.
After dominating the first two sets, the HD Spikers encountered a tougher Sealions squad in the third.
With Cignal ahead by one, 25-24, the Navy made its final stand as John Jacob drilled a crucial crosscourt hit that extended the match for the second time, 25-all.
Jau Umandal then fired a missile down the line to put the game at match point before Mark Calado sealed the victory with a quick tip-in, 27-25.
“It’s a good start for us na panalo kami for our first game. But then hindi dun magstop na panalo lang,” Cignal head coach Dexter Clamor said. “Of course may mga things na kailangan naming i-improve sa game namin. May mga lapses. May mga bagay pa na kailangan pa naming trabahuhin sa training.”
Umandal led the reigning champions with 17 points on 16 attacks, while team captain JP Bugaoan added 10 points.
Joeven Dela Vega scored a team-high 14 points for the Sealions, while Greg Dolor added 11 markers.
Cignal will look to sustain its momentum in its second game, facing off against RichMarc Sports on Sunday at 6 p.m.
On the other hand, PGJC-Navy will look to put itself in the win column as it goes head-to-head with Philippine Air Force earlier at 4 p.m.
