Cignal continued its dominant run in the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference but needed to thwart a hard-fighting PGJC-Navy side in the last two sets, 25-16, 29-27, 25-22, as the HD Spikers paced the D’Navigators at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum Wednesday night.
Once again, Bryan Bagunas delivered a standout performance, showcasing his prowess with booming hits from the backrow and thunderous serves, leading to a 21-point showing on 18 attacks, two aces and a block. His consistent excellence on the court continues to be a driving force behind Cignal’s success.
He also finished with seven excellent receptions as Cignal took the early lead in the semis with three points.
Despite the D’Navigators’ four-set win over Criss Cross earlier in the day, Cignal held the set ratio advantage in the race to the finals with its sweep of Navy.
The HD Spikers actually blew a three-point lead in the stretch of the second frame but saved two set points before prevailing. They then foiled the Sealions’ fightback in the third to complete the straight-set romp.
With their ninth consecutive victory, including eight wins in the prelims, the HD Spikers set the stage for a highly anticipated matchup with the D’Navigators tomorrow (Friday). The match will not only determine the solo leader but also provide a clear path to the finals of the tournament organized by Sports Vision.
“Yung first set medyo maganda yung performance nila. Second set naging complacent, yun talaga yung iniiwasan namin lamang kami all throughout tapos binibigyan nila ng chance yung kalaban,” said HD Spikers head coach Dexter Clamor.
Ahead by a solitary point in the third, 20-19, JP Bugaoan and Bagunas joined hands in a 3-1 run that propelled Cignal to a 23-20 advantage.
Navy mounted a comeback after a Bagunas service error, followed by an Omar Lioc off-the-block hit. But Greg Dolor committed an error and Jau Umandal scored through the block to wrap up the contest.
“Lahat ng pumasok sa top four malalakas, lahat ng teams kayang pumasok ng championship so it’s all about yung pinakagustong pumasok sa (finals), yun yung papasok sa finals. ‘Di ibig sabihin na lamang kami sa talent eh sure na agad kami,” said Clamor.
Umandal provided invaluable support with his own fiery blasts, finishing with nine points, while Lloyd Josafat and Bugaoan added seven markers each for the HD Spikers. Calado also came off the bench to fire six points.
Cian Silang delivered 15 excellent sets while Vince Lorenzo registered 10 excellent digs for Cignal.
Dolor scored 12 points for Navy while Lioc and Peter Quiel each contributed 10 markers. Joeven Dela Vega, however, struggled for six points for the Sealions, who will face the King Crunchers next.
--//
