Cignal kicked off its title retention drive in the 2025 Spikers\u2019 Turf Invitational Conference with a 25-23, 25-15, 27-29, 25-14 win over VNS at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan on Monday in a victory that hardly impressed its head coach.<\/p>\n
\u201cHindi ito \u2018yung ineensayo namin, hindi ito \u2018yung hinahanap namin kasi kami \u2018yung defending champion eh so dapat ang first game namin dapat ipakita namin sa lahat na gustong-gusto namin makuha \u2018yung conference na ito. Medyo slow start tapos nakakuha pa sa amin ng set \u2018yung VNS,\u201d said Dexter Clamor.<\/p>\n
He instead heaped praise on the youth-laden Griffins for their gutsy stand, particularly in the third set.<\/p>\n
After VNS snatched Set 3 in extended fashion on back-to-back errors by Cian Silang and Louie Ramirez, 29-27, Cignal responded by dominating the fourth frame as Wendel Miguel, Martin Bugaoan, and JP Bugaoan re-asserted their might to clinch the win in two hours.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn fairness sa VNS talagang ibang team sila ngayon. Talagang tumaas \u2018yung level ng paglalaro nila so very commendable naman ang VNS sa laro na \u2018to so good job sa coaches and players na maganda \u2018yung naging performance nila against us,\u201d added Clamor.<\/p>\n
Miguel finished with 17 points on 14 spikes and three aces to lead the Super Spikers in the league organized by Sports Vision and supported by Alpha Insurance, Premiere EMS, Buffalo\u2019s Wings n\u2019 Things, and Arena Plus.<\/p>\n
JM Ronquillo added 15 points on nine attacks, four aces, and two blocks, while Bugaoan delivered 13 points, including two blocks as Cignal joined Alpha Insurance in the early lead.
\nThe two teams will face off on Wednesday at the Paco Arena.<\/p>\n
Van Tracy Prudenciado made an impressive debut for the Super Spikers with 14-of-21 excellent receptions and 11-of-18 excellent digs.<\/p>\n
RK Medino and Axel Book paced the Griffins with 11 points apiece as they brace for another tough outing against the Criss Cross King Crunchers on Friday at the Paco Arena..<\/p>\n