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 on Friday at the Paco Arena in Manila
JP Bugaoan was dominant in the middle with 15 points on 10 attacks and five blocks as the HD Spikers tied Imus-Ivy Tuason Photography, Philippine Army, Iloilo, and Vanguard for the lead.
“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.
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.
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.
AMC-Cotabato, on the other hand, made quick work of VNS, 25-21, 25-16, 25-23, for a blazing debut later in the evening.
Jao Umandal top-scored for Cotabato with 12 points built on 10 attacks to go with nine excellent receptions, while Rex Intal, formerly of Cignal, dropped nine points.
The trio of Umandal, Jayvee Sumagaysay, and Madz Gampong joined hands to turn an 11-all deadlock into a wide 22-15 lead to take the first set for the Spikers from the South.
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