The Cignal Super Spikers keep their title bid alive after dealing Japanese squad Kindai University its first defeat in the Spikers' Turf.
RODRIGUEZ, RIZAL – Facing elimination, Cignal summoned all the courage and composure forged from its string of championship runs and dealt erstwhile unbeaten Kindai University its first defeat, 25-20, 25-21, 24-26, 25-18, to revive its final hopes in the 2025 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference on Tuesday at the Ynares Center in Montalban.
Just one loss away from kissing their four-peat bid goodbye, the Super Spikers responded with an inspired performance – redeeming themselves from a painful setback to the surging Savouge Spin Doctors on Monday and halting the Japanese squad’s three-game run.
Cignal improved to 2-2, still at No. 4, but very much back in contention.
“Sabi ko kanina sa huddle, hindi namin alam kung ano ang magiging sitwasyon namin. Ang pinaka-importante, ipanalo namin ‘yung remaining games namin, then bahala na si Lord kung saan kami dadalhin,” said Cignal head coach Dexter Clamor.
Still, Cignal’s fate is no longer fully in its control. The Super Spikers must sweep winless ProVolley Academy of Australia on Thursday at 3 p.m. at the Filoil EcoOil Centre to keep their championship bid alive.
The Super Spikers nearly pulled off a sweep in the extended third set but refused to let the missed opportunity derail them. They roared out in the fourth, building a commanding 19-10 lead before cruising to a hard-earned, one-hour and 44-minute victory.
Cignal’s dominant net defense proved decisive. The team tallied 15 blocks, nearly doubling Kindai University’s eight, and repeatedly warding off the Japanese side’s attempts to rally.
Rookie Jay Rack De La Noche delivered his finest game yet, firing 22 points on 19 attacks and three blocks to breathe life back into Cignal’s fading finals hopes.
“After the loss to Savouge, wala po kaming ensayo. Siguro mindset na lang namin na hindi pa tapos ang laban,” said De La Noche.
Jau Umandal posted a stellar all-around outing with 18 points, nine excellent digs and nine excellent receptions. Brothers JP and Martin Bugaoan combined for seven blocks, producing 12 and 11 points, respectively.
Despite a scary spill into the bench while chasing a loose ball, Wendel Miguel still finished with nine points and eight digs before being forced to exit.
Kindai University, which opened the conference with victories over ProVolley Academy, Criss Cross, and University of Santo Tomas-Gameville, slipped to 3-1 after losing steam late.
Aun Ryutaro top-scored for the Japanese with 27 points built on 24 attacks and three blocks.
Kindai aims to regroup against the undefeated Savouge Aesthetics on Thursday at 5 p.m.
Games are aired live on One Sports and One Sports+, with video-on-demand available via the Pilipinas Live app. Matches are also streamed on spikersturf.ph.