Cignal claims PVL men’s crown

Cignal HD Spikers. Photo from Spikers’ Turf Facebook account.

Cignal finally exorcised its demons and pulled off a tough five-set victory over Philippine Air Force, 17-25, 27-25, 27-25, 16-25, 15-10, to snare the 2017 Premier Volleyball League men’s division Tuesday at Philsports Arena in Pasig.

Coach Oliver Almadro steered his squad to the championship in his first conference at the helm, as he instituted the changes the HD Spikers needed to finally get over the hump.

“It’s my first time to coach a men’s club team, and luckily, we were able to get the championship,” said
Almadro. “They were already a talented team. They just have to believe in themselves, and they just have to combine their talents and efforts. That’s what I gave them.”

Cignal gained a measure of revenge after losing in two Finals series against the Jet Spikers in the then-Spikers’ Turf tournaments.

Rex Intal was stellar in the championship-clinching match, firing 17 points, anchored on 11 spikers, four blocks, and two service aces.

Mark Alfafara also unleashed 17 markers, while Peter Torres added 13 points, and Ysay Marasigan had 12.

But the biggest contributions came from Lorenzo Capate, who contributed six points and 10 excellent sets to be adjudged as the Finals MVP.

Impressive in winning the second and third sets, the HD Spikers fell to the same trap of complacency as a motivated Air Force side forced a deciding fifth set, 25-16.

Cignal, though, was quick to atone for its miscues, jumping to a 6-2 lead in Set 5 before Marasigan wrapped the hardware with a combination play to win the title, 15-10.

“I just told them to combine their talent with effort, and believe that they will win. That’s exactly what happened today,” said Almadro.

Bryan Bagunas captained the Jet Spikers with 23 points, built on 21 hits and two aces, while Conference MVP Ranran Abdilla chimed in 17 in the defeat.

The HD Spikers swept the best-of three championship series after nabbing Game 1, 18-25, 25-22, 25-16, 25-19 last Saturday.

Alfafara was named as this conference’s First Best Outside Spiker, and Fauzi Ismail of Air Force hailed as the Second Best Outside Spiker.

Edward Camposano of Sta. Elena emerged as the Best Opposite Spiker, Jayvee Sumagaysay of Army was the First Best Middle Blocker, and Greg Dolor of IEM got the Second Best Middle Blocker.
Cignal’s Vince Mangulabnan was honored as the Best Setter, and IEM’s Rence Melgar was feted as the Best Libero.