Espejo unleashes record 43 points as Cignal bags Spikers’ Turf title

Spikers’ Turf champions Cignal HD Spikers. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Marck Espejo produced a historic performance to power Cignal to 2019 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference title after withstanding Go for Gold-Air Force, 21-25, 25-22, 24-26, 25-16, 15-6,  Tuesday at Paco Arena.

Putting the HD Spikers on his back, Espejo finished with a league-record 43 points, the highest single-game performance, to earn him the Finals MVP plum.

Howard Mojica once held the record with 41 points when he played for Emilio Aguinaldo College against Ateneo in 2015.

Espejo, who also holds the UAAP record with 55 points, lit up in the final set and score to propel Cignal to a decisive 9-3 lead.

“I’m really happy and overwhelmed and I really can’t wrap my mind around winning the championship,” said Cignal head coach Dexter Clamor in Filipino.

Espejo also closed the match for the HD Spikers, firing five of Cignal’s last six points to seal the title.

Ysay Marasigan and Edmar Banono had 11 points apiece to complement Espejo’s offense while Vince Mangulabnan orchestrated the attack with 30 excellent sets.

Manuel Sumanguid took care of the HD Spikers’ defense with 15 excellent receptions and 10 successful digs.

Fauzi Ismail had 16 points to lead the Jet Spikers while Francis Saura and Kim Malabunga had 12 and 11 points, respectively.