Way ahead or trailing by a big margin, Cignal simply knew what to do, battling back from seven points down in third set to frustrate Vanguard, 25-16, 25-18, 26-24, and keep its unblemished run in the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference elims at the Paco Arena on Sunday.
The HD Spikers came charging back from a 4-11 deficit behind Marck Espejo and JP Bugaoan then Wendell Miguel shattered a 24-all count with a stinging kill before Espejo sealed the victory with an ace, capping the unbeaten squad’s decisive closing 8-1 run.
“It was not as good as our performance sa last game namin. Medyo ang dami naming unforced errors hindi ganun kaganda yung performance,” said Cignal head coach Dexter Clamor.
“Yet, ang maganda dito nung patapos yung laro pinakita talaga nila yung tamang attitude, pinakita nila yung experience nila as manlalaro. Talagang kinapitan talaga nila hanggang dulo,” he added.
Espejo led the way with 11 points while team captain Ysay Marasigan added 10 markers as the HD Spikers closed in on the first semifinal berth with a 7-0 slate, their big late rally likewise preserving their impressive run of 3-0 victories.
After taking the first two sets in emphatic fashions, the HD Spikers went on a platoon substitution but found themselves trailing by seven as Nathan Sorio took over and spearheaded the Volley Hitters’ assault.
Vanguard reached the set point, 24-21, on a Sorio down-the-line but Espejo and Bugaoan combined for five straight points.
The Volley Hitters, who drew six and five points from Vince Abrot and Sorio, respectively, fell to 1-6 in a tie with the Air Force side.
