Cignal lifer Wendel Miguel felt heartbroken after the Super Spikers’ stunning four-set loss to UST-Gameville last Wednesday in the 2025 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference.
Having been with Cignal since his graduation from the University of the Philippines in 2018, Miguel urged his team to self-reflect and remember why they are part of the Super Spikers.
Then, on Friday night, he led by example.
Called off the bench by head coach Dexter Clamor, Miguel delivered crucial hits. He finished with nine points — seven spikes, one block, and one ace — along with five digs and four receptions.
More importantly, the team captain kept the Super Spikers together, helping them pull off a hard-fought 34-32, 25-22, 25-22 victory over the Savouge Spin Doctors to secure a ticket to the semifinals.
(C) Spikers Turf Images
“Sa amin, must-win talaga itong larong ito, so nag-reflect lang din kami sa mga past games namin,” said Miguel.
“‘Yung pride parang nawawala sa team. ‘Yung intensity ng laro hindi bumabalik, hindi namin ma-solve. ‘Yung pride ay medyo nakakalimutan. Kung sino ‘yung team ng Cignal, kung anong meron sa Cignal, sino bang mga players ng Cignal, for us medyo sobrang wakeup call naman na yun na umabot kami sa ganitong mahirap na laro,” he continued.
With this gutsy win over Savouge, Miguel hopes Cignal will only improve from here, especially with Kindai University (Japan) and ProVolley Academy (Australia) joining the semifinals.
The challenge will be even greater with the absence of Alas Pilipinas members Louie Ramirez, Lloyd Josafat, Joshua Retamar, and Vince Lorenzo, who will join the national team training camp in Taiwan.
“I hope medyo na-enlighten lahat na ito ‘yung team namin. Ito ‘yung meron sa team namin, ‘yung mga players na nandito so feeling ko naman and sana naman na medyo nagbago na ‘yung vibe ng team namin,” said the 30-year-old outside spiker from the University of the Philippines.
“Medyo mabigat na challenge pero magagawan naman ng paraan ‘yan lalo sa practice so sana lahat, buong team namin, suportahan namin ‘yung mga-Alas and kahit na magti-training sila sa ibang bansa for the Philippines, gagampanan namin ‘yung slot na meron sila and ipapakita namin ‘yung kaya namin.”
Miguel will look to carry Cignal in the semifinals, alongside Jau Umandal, JP Bugaoan, and other capable teammates.
Criss Cross has already qualified for the semis, while Savouge, UST-Gameville, and Alpha Insurance fight for the remaining two slots.
