Cignal turned to its second unit as it toppled Saints and Lattes-Letran, 25-10, 25-18, 25-20, to complete a sweep of the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference semifinals at the Philsports Arena in Pasig Tuesday.
With the team already assured of the finals, Cignal head coach Dexter Clamor went to his bench to give his starters the much-needed breather in preparation for their upcoming showdown with the NU-Sta. Elena Nationals on Friday.
Alfred Valbuena and the rest responded, outplaying the Saints Spikers in the first two sets before overcoming their rivals' gritty stand int he third frame that had Bem-Bem Bautista scoring through the block to pull Letran within, 19-21.
But Valbuena took over, scoring three points in a decisive 4-1 Cignal closing binge.
“Kudos sa second stringers namin. Kung mapapansin mo, talagang walang pinasok na (starters). Si Wendell (Miguel) lang ‘di ba? Halos walang pinasok na first six,” said Clamor after the quick win that extended their run to nine games, counting their five-game romp in the elims of the tournament organized by Sports Vision.
“Yung second stringers namin nag-trabaho talaga, gusto nilang makatulong na makapagpahinga yung first six namin in preparation sa game namin sa Friday,” he added.
Four players hit double figures for the HD Spikers with Valbuena leading the way with 14 points on 12 attacks and two aces. He added four excellent digs while Chu Njigha tallied 13 points on nine attacks and four blocks.
Mark Calado and Lloyd Josafat each scored 11 points in the one-hour, nine-minute contest while Vince Abrot added seven markers as Jau Umandal, Ysay Marasigan, JP Bugaoan, Peter Torres, EJ Casana, and Manuel Sumanguid sat out the match.
Geuel Asia stepped up and produced 23 excellent sets while Sandy Montero recorded 11 excellent receptions.
Bautista and Vince Himzon scored 12 and 11 points, respectively, for Letran, which ended the semis with a 2-2 card.
