Espejo Marck Espejo – 12 points in Cignal’s straight-set romp of Army. PVL photo

Cignal, VNS share Spikers’ Turf lead

September 4, 2022 Theodore P. Jurado 291 views

DEFENDING champion Cignal and VNS gained a share of the lead after posting contrasting victories in the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference yesterday at the Paco Arena.

The HD Spikers earned their second win at the expense of Army-Katinko, 25-15, 25-14, 25-19, while the Griffins went through the wringer before beating Santa Rosa, 25-23, 21-25, 22-25, 30-28, 15-13, to also improve to 2-0.

Marck Espejo finished with 12 points, including four blocks, while playing only in two sets as the HD Spikers remained unbeaten in the young season.

“Alam ko po na marami pang mai-improve at marami pang matutunan sa journey na ito. Happy po ako na sa konting panahon, dalawang training, ang daming nabago at nakapag-adjust po,” said Espejo.

JP Bugaoan matched Espejo’s total block output for a nine-point outing, Ysay Marasigan hammered eight kills, while Alfred Valbuena, who started in the third set, scored seven markers. Owen Suarez tossed in 12 excellent sets while libero Manuel Sumangui had 13 receptions.

John Benedict San Andres had 24 points, including two blocks, and 12 receptions, while Uriel Mendoza added 12 kills and eight receptions for VNS, which played its second consecutive five-setter.

It was a sorry loss for the Lions, who dropped in a tie with the Troopers and Ateneo-Fudgee Barr at 0-2, as the Laguna-based squad reached match point in the fourth set but the Griffins displayed tremendous composure under pressure.

Jade Disquitado led the Lions with 25 points, including two blocks, while Kris Gabriel Hernandez had three service aces for a 17-point effort to go with nine digs.

Coach Dexter Clamor was satisfied with Cignal’s performance compared to last Tuesday’s s 25-17, 25-15, 25-22 victory over youthful Santa Rosa.

The HD Spikers tallied 10 blocks and recorded five service aces, while the Troopers went zero and both skills departments.

“Actually lahat nag-perform ng maayos compared doon sa last game namin sa Santa Rosa,” said Clamor. “I think ang advantage namin dito sa Army is prior to this match, nagkaroon kami ng tune-up games against them. Iyon siguro ang maganda kasi somehow siguro na-gain namin yung respect nila sa amin.”

“We were able to study yung strong points and weak points ng Army. Pinag-aralan namin based doon sa game nila against Sta. Elena kaya nag-perform kami ng maayos,” he added.

PJ Rojas and Ben Labide had nine kills apiece while Jaidal Abdulmajid chipped in six points for the Troopers.

Games Tuesday

(Paco Arena)
2:30 p.m. – Navy vs NU-Sta. Elena
5:30 p.m. – Ateneo-Fudgee Barr vs Santa Rosa

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