Undeterred by an early surge from the young and dynamic DN Steel FEU side, the seasoned Cignal HD Spikers mounted a fierce comeback, showcasing their firepower and resolve to secure a 25-27, 25-21, 25-20, 25-20 victory over the Ultras in the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference semifinals at the Ynares Sports Center in Pasig on Sunday.
Cignal’s victory not only clinched the HD Spikers the second semifinal slot with a 7-1 record, tying DN Steel FEU at the helm, but also left the fight for the remaining two berths wide open among Criss Cross, Savouge, EcoOil La Salle and PGJC Navy.
But with a 6-1 record, the King Crunchers are in prime position, further boosted by a favorable matchup against the winless Chichi DHTSI Titans on Wednesday.
Former FEU standout Mark Calado teamed up with Louie Ramirez to deliver in the pivotal fourth set, spearheading the HD Spikers' remarkable comeback from a 10-13 deficit in a tense and tightly contested battle.
The set was marked by a thrilling exchange of sideouts midway through, until the HD Spikers seized control at 22-19, courtesy of a crucial Lloyd Josafat-Calado block on Mikko Espartero.
A service ace from Cignal and an FEU service error following a Jelord Talisayan off-the-block hit brought Cignal to match point. The HD Spikers sealed the victory with a decisive Wendell Miguel kill at center, capitalizing on an FEU overpass.
Calado earned top honors for his stellar performance and emphasized the significance of the win in their campaign for another championship.
“This win has a huge impact as we head into the semifinals. Hopefully, we can sustain this momentum, but the journey isn’t over yet – we still have crucial games ahead,” said Calado in Filipino, who expressed gratitude to his teammates for their unwavering trust.
“I gave my best, but it wasn’t easy. We knew FEU came prepared for us,” he added.
With the HD Spikers at set point in the first frame, 25-24, Espartero and Doula Ndongala scored for the Ultras with an off-the-block hit and a service ace before Ramirez’s flawed attack gave FEU the early lead.
However, once the reigning Open Conference champions found their rhythm, their relentless attack and impenetrable defense overwhelmed the Ultras, who sorely missed the firepower of their top spiker Dryx Saavedra.
Cignal exploited these gaps masterfully. Their five blocks in the pivotal third set contrasted sharply with FEU’s single block, turning the tide decisively in favor of the HD Spikers. Moreover, Cignal’s ability to minimize errors underscored its superiority.
The HD Spikers netted 11 free points while yielding just five of their own, including four from the service line.
While the Ultras displayed glimpses of their talent, particularly in the first set led by Espartero, their inability to find consistent backup options proved costly. The absence of Saavedra further exposed gaps in their lineup, leaving them vulnerable to Cignal’s methodical and relentless assault.
