Cignal ranks high in Spikers’ Turf
DECORATED Cignal should rank high on the pecking order in the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference unfolding Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
But the departure of many-time MVP Marck Espejo, who steered the HD Spikers to several titles, and other stalwarts gives the eight other clubs decent crack at the championship while making this conference’s chase more exciting, unpredictable.
“Actually, may chance na yung ibang teams kasi nga marami ring players ang gumagraduate and yung mga top teams napupuno so yung ibang mga players, kumakalat sa iba ibang teams so mas may chance ngayon,” said VNS-Nasty coach Ralph Ocampo.
Savouge coach Sammy Acaylar knows that every team can beat anyone in any given time.
“I respect all the coaches, they are good, lahat ng players magagaling yan but ang basa ko diyan, they’re human and we’re human. They got mistakes and we got mistakes, so of course, mag-iingat lang sila lagi rin kasi lahat naman magagaling,” said Acaylar.
Despite losing Espejo, Ysay Marasigan and Manuel Sumanguid to the newly-formed Criss Cross, Cignal signed up Bryan Bagunas, Espejo’s rival since their college days, along with Ronniel Rosales, Giles Torres, Madz Gampong, Nas Gwaza, Cian Silang and Vince Lorenzo to bolster its roster.
Still, new PGJC-Navy coach George Pascua is unfazed by the two preseason favorites, saying the title chase will be a question of desire and resolve.
“Lahat naman humaharap sa challenges. It’s a matter of desire na lang siguro ng team kung sino yung mananalo at sino yung gustong matalo,” said Pascua.
