The Cignal HD Spikers overcame an early surge from the DN Steel FEU Ultras to claim a 25-27, 25-21, 25-20, 25-20 victory on Sunday, November 24, at the Ynares Sports Center in Pasig. With this win, the seasoned squad secured the second semifinal berth in the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference, improving their record to 7-1 and tying FEU at the top.

Despite losing the opening set, Cignal adjusted and relied on their depth and defensive dominance to outlast the Ultras, who were without their top spiker, Dryx Saavedra. The Ultras’ absence of firepower proved costly as Cignal’s relentless attack and net defense overwhelmed the younger squad.

Key Performances

Former FEU standout Mark Calado spearheaded Cignal’s efforts, particularly in the crucial fourth set. Alongside Louie Ramirez, Calado led the team’s comeback from a 10-13 deficit, sealing the match with crucial plays down the stretch. Calado praised his teammates for their trust and emphasized the importance of this win in their title campaign.

The HD Spikers’ balanced offense saw Lloyd Josafat contribute 12 points (including four blocks), while JM Ronquillo and Calado added 10 points each. Co-captains JP Bugaoan and Wendell Miguel chipped in nine points apiece.

On the Ultras’ side, Mikko Espartero led the charge with 17 points, while Jelord Talisayan added 13. However, FEU’s 34 errors, combined with their struggles at the net, hampered their chances against the reigning Open Conference champions.

Turning Points

1. Net Defense: Cignal dominated at the net with 13 blocks to FEU’s four, including five pivotal blocks in the third set.
2. Minimizing Errors: The HD Spikers capitalized on FEU’s 34 unforced errors, yielding only 19 of their own.
3. Second-String Contributions: Cignal coach Dexter Clamor credited the team’s depth, as the second stringers delivered high-quality minutes.

What’s Next

The HD Spikers, now in prime position with one elimination game remaining against PGJC Navy on Friday, aim to sustain their momentum heading into the semifinals. Meanwhile, the Ultras, despite glimpses of brilliance from Espartero and Talisayan, must regroup and find solutions for their lack of consistent firepower in Saavedra’s absence.

This victory positions Cignal as a strong contender for another championship, with their resilience and depth proving to be major assets in their quest for back-to-back titles.