December 09, 2024

Spikers' Turf: Cignal halts late run by D'Navigators, wins third straight in sweeping fashion

Spikers
Jau Umandal (left) and the Cignal HD Spikers took advantage of late errors by the D'Navigators Iloilo to clinch their third straight win of the conference. | Photos: Spikers' Turf
The Cignal HD Spikers showed grace under pressure in their 25-16, 25-23, 26-24 victory over D’Navigators Iloilo in the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference preliminaries at the Ynares Sports Arena late Sunday.

The HD Spikers overcame a 22-24 deficit in the third set, rallying for four consecutive points to secure a straight-set win, marking their third straight triumph since a close five-set loss to the Savouge Spin Doctors, giving them a 4-1 record.

D’Navigators, meanwhile, continued its tough run, suffering a fifth straight loss despite several close calls. After a shaky first set, the Iloilo-based team, which edged Chichi DHTSI in five in its first game, rebounded to push Cignal into tight endgame battles in the second and third frames.

In Set 3, Cignal coach Dexter Clamor opted to field in his second six, which led  the surge by D’Navigators and hung on to a 24-22 lead on a Steven Sta. Maria’s off-the-block hit, setting the stage for a possible fourth set.

However, miscues and hesitation plagued the D’Navigators at the critical moment, allowing the HD Spikers' second team to capitalize.

Jau Umandal and Martin Bugaoan stepped up to close out the match, sealing the HD Spikers' victory in the tournament.

“Actually nung third set kasi ginamit namin ‘yung second six. So dapat laging ready, kasi ‘yung team na ‘to equally talented players eh. Dapat lang ‘yung second stringers isipin nila kapag gagamitin sila is to contribute,” said Clamor.

“Ganun ‘yung tiwala ko sa kanila na magde-deliver sila. Kahit sinong gamitin sa court, first six or second six, kasi as I said same level nga eh. Kaya lang, hindi pwedeng kapag sila ‘yung gagamitin, nawawala sa focus,” he added.

The HD Spikers pounced on Sta. Maria and Kyle Ramones’ errors to force a tie at 24, where Umandal took over and hammered an off-the-block hit before Bugaoan foiled Sta. Maria’s attack to end the one-hour, 24-minute contest.

Team captain JP Bugaoan and Umandal scored nine points apiece to lead Cignal, while Louie Ramirez contributed eight points in Cignal’s balanced offensive attack.

The HD Spikers, meanwhile, will test the unbeaten La Salle-EcoOil Green Oilers’ mettle on Friday at 6 p.m.

The D’Navigators, who drew nine points from Vince Himzon and eight markers each from Kyle Villamor and Sta. Maria, will try to end its slump against the VNS Griffins on Sunday at 4 p.m.

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