Cignal celebrates its return to the Spikers’ Turf throne. Contributed photo
Cignal reclaims Spikers’ Turf crown in style
CIGNAL reclaimed the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference crown in dominant fashion, completing a historic 15-match sweep.
But the HD Spikers need to hurdle their biggest challenge of the tournament to become kings again.
Pushed to the limit for the first time this season after yielding only two sets in the first 14 matches, Cignal outlasted AMC-Cotabato in a five-set thriller, 25-21, 22-25, 25-17, 28-30, 15-7, before a good-sized crowd at the fabled Rizal Memorial Coliseum on Friday night.
It was the HD Spikers’ fourth title overall, making it the most successful club in league history.
Cignal, which surpassed Air Force’s three championship, had also ruled three of the last four editions, missing only last season when National University topped the tournament’s return after a three-year hiatus.
“Ito talaga yung in-eye namin nitong conference na ito, na mag-champion ulit. Sobrang na-down kami pagkatalo namin last conference, pero wala namang gagawin kung hindi bumawi,” said HD Spikers coach Dexter Clamor.
Despite missing out on this conference’s Elite Team, Marck Espejo still got the Finals MVP.
The 6-foot-3 spiker Espejo was grateful but deflected the credit to his teammates for Cignal’s championship run.
“Sa Finals MVP hindi ko po inexpect kasi itong Finals po para sa akin yung MVP talaga is either si EJ (Casaña) or si Wendel (Miguel) kasi sila yung missing link namin nung last time,” said Espejo.
“Pero thankful ako na ako yung nag Finals MVP and para po sa team talaga ito kasi collective effort yung nangyari nung Finals and hindi ko po magagawa yun kung hindi dahil sa tulong ng bawat isa especially si Chu (Njigha) siya yungg ame changer nung third set.”
In last Wednesday’s series opener, Espejo logged 25 big points on 22-of-36 attacks and three blocks in the HD Spikers’ 25-22, 25-22, 28-26 win.
He followed it up with a 28-point, 34-reception masterpiece in the clincher.
It was Espejo’s third Finals MVP crown, duplicating his feat in the Reinforced and Open Conference in 2019 when Cignal completed a season sweep of championships.
