Cignal acquires Retamar
OWA Retamar, one of the finest young setters in Philippine men’s volleyball, has signed up with Cignal, the decorated club announced yesterday.
Coming off a successful championship run in the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference, the HD Spikers made even stronger with the entry of Retamar.
A three-time UAAP champion from National University, Retamar will reunite with his former college teammate Bryan Bagunas.
“Cignal ang pinili ko kasi feeling ko dito ako mag-grow sa next stage ng volleyball career ko. Alam naman natin one of the longest and winningest teams ang Cignal when it comes to the men’s division kaya gusto ko lang makatulong mapagpatuloy yun winning ways nila,” said Retamar, a two-time UAAP Finals MVP.
No stranger to the Spikers’ Turf scene, Retamar bagged the Best Setter award in the 2019 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference when he represented Sta. Elena.
He is also a mainstay on the international stage, having played for the Philippine men’s national team during the 30th Southeast Asian Games held in Manila.
Currently, he has been named as one of the setters in the current pool for Alas Pilipinas as they aim to build Philippine men’s volleyball in time for the 2025 FIVB World Championship in Manila.
Retamar is now deep in training for the Philippines’ upcoming stint in the AVC Challenge Cup for Men from June 2 to 9 in Bahrain.
“It’s both an honor and a privilege to have a setter of Owa’s caliber. It’s not an easy feat to win three UAAP titles, much less the Finals MVP award as a setter,” HD Spikers coach Dexter Clamor said.
“We’re looking forward to having him on the same side of the court for many years as he sets up our spikers which will hopefully lead to wins and more championships,” he added.
Cignal ruled the Open Conference title with Cian Silang the lead playmaker. He won the tournament’s Best Setter plum.
The 22-year-old from San Pedro, Laguna will look to help the HD Spikers in a redemption tour in the Invitational Conference later this year after the squad took home second place in previous edition.
