Ysay Marasigan was visibly irked after being called for a net violation late in the third set of Cignal’s straight sets win over VNS-One Alicia on Thursday afternoon.
During the final moments of the crucial third set, Ben San Andres crossed the net following a block attempt.
Marasigan then landed on San Andres’ foot afterward which put him out of balance, forcing him to hang onto the net. The HD Spikers skipper tried to talk to both referees to explain his side but the point was already awarded to the Griffins which gave them a 22-21 lead.
“Pumasok kasi siya (sa side namin) si (Ben) San Andres. Naapakan ko, so na-out of balance ako syempre so para hindi ako ma-sprain kumapit ako sa net. Ayun, well mas nakita nila yung net (violation) so ayun,” explained Marasigan.
The former Ateneo standout made sure to put all that away right after and immediately punched one in to tie the game. Kevin Montemayor and Jan Mangulabnan scored off a spike and a block, respectively, to put VNS-One Alicia at match point, 24-22, but Marasigan came up clutch anew, saving another point to keep Cignal alive.
Edmar Bonono then sent the third frame into a deuce before consecutive errors from San Andres gave Cignal its third consecutive victory in the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference.
“Sinunod ko lang actually yung sinabi ni coach nung nag timeout siya. Kung saan kami effective, kailangan proper execution lang,” said Marasigan, who played with the team’s reserves in the final set and provided the much-needed leadership.
“Isang receive, (kasi) ‘di naman talaga mabigat yung serve kasi crucial na nga. Isang proper receive, proper set, then doon kami sa advantage namin which is yung wing spikers kasi maliit yung blockers sa wings nila so doon kami sa advantage namin.”
Marasigan said that he was proud to see the team’s second unit step up, especially in the third frame, where they surrendered a five-point advantage against the Kim Malabunga-less VNS-One Alicia.
“Ayun lang, kung napansin niyo naman yung core ng third set is yung mga reserves. Yun lang, pinapakita lang namin na kahit sinong ipasok namin magdedeliver,” said Marasigan.
“As one talaga kami. Nung crucial kung napansin niyo na-rattle, pero lumabas pa rin na as one kami (kasi) naguusap kami. Every move or galaw namin inside the court we communicate with each other para maging effective talaga yung attacks namin.”
