Cignal flaunted its deep bench as it overpowered Santa Rosa City in straight sets, 25-19, 25-18, 25-17, in the 2023 Spikers' Turf Open Conference at the Paco Arena yesterday.
JP Bugaoan was dominant in the middle with 15 points on 10 attacks and five blocks to lead the HD Spikers to a 1-0 record along with Imus-Ivy Tuason Photography, Philippine Army, Iloilo, and Vanguard
"First game ang dami pa rin naming unforced errors eh, service error to be specific siguro naninibago sa atmosphere, iba kasi sa training, iba sa game," said Cignal head coach Dexter Clamor.
"Ang maganda dito, kahit sinong ipasok, kahit sinong gamitin nag perform talaga, nag contribute talaga ng positive," he added.
Ahead by just two midway through the opening set, 14-12, the blocking of the HD Spikers solidified to leave the Lions at bay, 20-13, en route to the early upper hand.
A similar situation ensued in the following frame as Marck Espejo and JP Bugaoan led the Cignal charge this time to turn a 14-12 lead to a 22-13 separation to move on the verge of the sweep.
HD Spikers' bench mob sealed the deal in the third canto as Alfred Valbuena, Chumason Njigha, Edmar Bonono, and new acquisition Gadpray Aresgado pushed Santa Rosa to a 0-2 hole.
Anrie Bakil and Kevin Montemayor paced the Lions with nine points apiece with the latter registering their lone service ace.
Both squads will have a one-week break before returning next Friday with Santa Rosa facing PGJC-Navy at 4 pm before Cignal squares off against the AJAA Spikers.
