Cignal continued its undefeated streak in the 2023 Spikers' Turf Open Conference by swiftly defeating PGJC-Navy 26-24, 25-21, 25-17 in a game where Jude Garcia was out due to injury for the Sealions, Wednesday at Paco Arena.
Marck Espejo returned to play after being rested in the last game for load management and scored 19 points on 16 attacks and three service aces, along with six digs.
However, Cignal's head coach, Dexter Clamor, expressed dissatisfaction with his team's performance during the first set, which they won 26-24, saying that he was not convinced despite the victory.
Clamor explained that his team had become complacent during the first set and were waiting to see how Navy would play due to Garcia's absence. He also emphasized that he did not want his players to develop a complacent mindset.
In the subsequent sets, Cignal's players woke up and played better.
Clamor used his entire bench for the second game in a row.
Wendel Miguel scored 13 points, and JP Bugaoan added 10 points to the team's victory.
For Navy, Christian Marcelino and Greg Dolor led the team with 15 and 14 points, respectively. The Sealions fell to 1-3, tied for seventh place with the Vanguard Volley Hitters.
