Cignal head coach Dexter Clamor remains confident that his squad can still compete for the Spikers’ Turf Invitational title, even as key players are set to leave mid-conference for SEA Games preparations.
The Cignal Super Spikers prepare for a challenging title defense in the 2025 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference, anticipating the loss of several core players midway through the tournament due to Alas Pilipinas duties.
Head coach Dexter Clamor confirmed that national team standouts Owa Retamar, Lloyd Josafat, Louie Ramirez, and Vince Lorenzo will leave the squad before the semifinal stage to join Alas Pilipinas Men in their final build-up for the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok this December.
[ALSO READ: Alas Men to start Spikers’ Turf campaign, exit mid-conference for SEA Games build-up]
“Actually, we are the defending champion dito sa Invitational Conference. Ngayon, nagpa-practice kami ng wala [‘yung] national team, nagpa- practice kami kasama ‘yung national team,” Clamor shared to One Sports.
“Alam naman ng team ‘yung sitwasyon na mawawala sila pagdating ng semifinals. Hopefully, kaya pa rin namin without the service of Owa Retamar, Lloyd Josafat, [Louie Ramirez, and] Vince Lorenzo.”
Clamor admitted that their absence will be a huge blow in the latter stages of the conference, but he remains optimistic that the rest of the roster will rise to the occasion.
“Mabigat na mawawala sila going to semifinal if ever na makapasok kami, but still, confident naman ako na kahit wala ‘yung mga national team players, ‘yung mga maiwan, for sure, magko-contribute para manalo ‘yung team,” he added.
Depth still on Cignal’s side
Despite the looming departure of their national team stars, Cignal will still have a formidable lineup anchored by a strong group of scorers such as Jau Umandal, Wendell Miguel, JM Ronquillo, Vince Maglinao, Steven Rotter, and new signing Jared Schnake.
[ALSO READ: Cignal secures Fil-Am collegiate talent Jared Schnake for upcoming Spikers’ Turf Season]
The Super Spikers also recently gained international exposure by competing in the YAMO Volleyball Invitational, where the team finished second against a field that included players from the Thailand men's national volleyball team.
“Actually, nung galing kami ng Thailand, nakita ko kung paano sila mag-perform. May mga kulang, syempre, dahil limited nga lang ‘yung mga tao, but still, maganda ‘yung exposure sa amin and in preparation for this conference na magagamit namin ‘yung mga natutunan namin doon,” Clamor explained.
“Hopefully, magtuloy-tuloy ‘yung magandang performance nila kahit wala ‘yung mga national team players.”
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Kiko Demigillo’s journey in sports storytelling began with a deep passion for games and athletes, which eventually grew into a full-fledged career.
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