Cignal turns back Air Force, rules Spikers’ Turf

CIGNAL practically used the same strategy in its previous win and secured the biggest prize in the Spikers’ Turf Season 1-Reinforced Conference last night at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

The HD Spikers again employed excellent blocking and superb reception to bring down powerhouse Philippine Air Force, 25-17, 32-30, 25-23, and clinch their best-of-three championship series.

“We really expected to win this championship. We learned from all those struggles that we had going into the finals,” said Cignal head coach Michael Cariño.

Cignal found a gem in Edward Ybañez, who delivered 12 kills and was adjudged as the Finals Most Valuable Player.

Lorenzo Capate Jr., Alexis Fayta-ren, Edmar Bonono and Herschel Ramos also delivered for the HD Spikers as they put up a solid defensive effort in stopping the powerful smashes of the Air Spikers.

“Our team is really hungry for the win and he really proved to be the difference in this series,” said Carino, referring to the high-leaping Ybañez. “He helped us big time.’’

A prized find from Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu, Ybañez won his first crown in a nationally televised league.

Armed with the most powerful outside hitters in Alnakran Abdilla, Jeffrey Malabanan and Rodolfo Labrador, the Air Spikers took Game 1, 25-15, 19-25, 25-19, 25-19, but couldn’t finish off their rivals.

“We were able to stop their attacks with superior blocking,” said Cariño, whose wards leveled the series with a 25-16, 25-17, 25-18 Game 2 win.