Powerhouse team Cignal completed a sweep of the semifinal round after blasting Saint and Lattes-Letran, 25-10, 25-18, 25-20, to prime up for the championship match of the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference yesterday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Setter Geuel Asia effectively activated all available hitters on the floor with his superb playmaking to lead the HD Spikers to their ninth straight win heading into the winner-take-all final against an equally dangerous Sta. Elena-National University.
The finale of the season-ending conference is slated on Friday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Asia, a former national team setter, dished out 23 excellent sets that helped Cignal unleash 47 attack points, 17 more than what the Saints Spikers could muster as the round robin semis came to an end.
The HD Spikers, who are looking to reign supreme in the 2023 season after ruling the Open Conference, allowed their second stringers to get more playing as they rested most of their starters to preserve them for the most important battle of the inaugural tournament.
“Kudos to our second stringers. Aside from Wendell (Miguel) we didn’t play our (starters). I’m really glad that our second stringers stepped up. They really wanted to help our team and give our first six a chance to rest in preparation for our game on Friday,” Cignal head coach Dexter Clamor said.
Alfred Valbuena led all scorers with 14 points off 12 spikes and two aces he laced with four digs while Chumason Njigha added 13 markers including four of the HD Spikers’ seven kill blocks.
Lloyd Josafat and Mark Calado produced 11 points each for Cignal, which seeks a fourth title overall.
Meanwhile, Japanese guest team Maruichi Hyogo ended a three-game losing skid with a hard-earned, 29-27, 25-20, 25-22, victory over winless University of Perpetual Help System Dalta-Kinto Tyres to save a seat in the bronze medal game.
Yuji Kawagoe dropped 24 points with all but one coming off attacks to power the young Japanese club past a seasoned Altas side. Skipper Hinata Kuroda and Kyosuke Kashimoto chipped in 16 and 15 markers, respectively, for Maruichi Hyogo, which will take on Saint and Lattes-Letran for a podium finish.
The battle for third will also be played in a winner-take-all match before the gold medal game.
Jefferson Marapoc got 19 points while Kobe Tabuga had 17 in a lost cause for Perpetual-Kinto Tyres, which exited the semis winless in four outings.
Despite having the momentum on their side, Clamor reminded his players not to be too complacent as the Nationals are also on a three-game roll.
“Of course, winning nine straight is a huge boost for our morale but it’s back to zero in the finals. It’s a do-or-die game. So we can’t dwell on our 9-0. We focus our attention now on our preparation going to the finals,” the mentor said.
John Derrik Bautista finished with 12 points while Vince Himzon got 11 for the Saint Spikers, who wrapped the semis with an even 2-2 record.
