Cignal players celebrate.
Cignal overcomes Savouge’s challenge
CIGNAL overcame Savouge’s challenge in the first two sets before pulling off a 25-23, 27-25, 25-19 win yesterday in the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Jau Umandal had 17 points and eight receptions while Steve Rotter was solid again in the service area with two aces to finish with 11 points for the HD Spikers.
No Spin Doctor scored in twin digits with Sherwin Caritativo struggling with eight points.
“Of course, I’m happy na nanalo kami sa Savouge. Pero dikit all throughout, from the first set to the third set,” said Cignal coach Dexter Clamor.
“Ang dami naming errors, most especially sa service,” Clamor added, as the HD Spikers committed 29 errors. “Bukod sa marami kaming errors sa service, marami rin kaming magaan na service, that’s why nakakapagside-out sila ng mas maganda.”
Earlier, PGJC-Navy squandered a two-set lead but staged a gritty comeback in the decisive fifth set, overcoming a two-point deficit and fending off a match point to secure a thrilling 25-20, 25-22, 20-25, 17-25, 17-15 victory over VNS-Laticrete.
Greg Dolor had 25 points, including three blocks, to pace the Sealions.
“I told my players that this was a test of character. The team that truly wants to win will prevail. No matter what set it is, we have to fight to win,” said PGJC-Navy coach George Pascua.
“Our receiving and blocking struggled, so those are areas we need to improve,” he added.
John Ashley Jacob added 15 poins, 13 of which came from attacks, while Peter Quiel contributed 10 points, including five blocks for the Sealions.
Setter Owen Suarez provided 17 excellent sets while adding four points, while veteran libero Jack Kalingking anchored the defense with 16 receptions and nine digs.
