Spikers’ Turf: Marck Espejo, Cignal back to winning ways after beating Ateneo

Cignal HD Spikers. PVL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Defending champion Cignal vented its ire on Ateneo-Fudgee Barr, 25-14, 25-23, 25-22, to earn a semifinals berth in the 2022 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference on Thursday at Paco Arena.

Licking the wounds of their four-set loss to PGJC-Navy last Tuesday, NCAA standout Louie Ramirez and five-time UAAP MVP Marck Espejo brought back the HD Spikers’ winning ways to rebound from their first loss in three years that ended their 16-game winning streak.

“Actually going back to Navy’s (game). It was a tough loss given it was our first loss since 2019. It’s really a good reminder for us to work harder and prepare for each game. One at a time,” said Cignal coach Dexter Clamor in Filipino.

“Coming into this game, we really prepared. We weren’t pleased with the result of our last game but we moved on right away to perform well today.”

Ramirez, a University of Perpetual Help product, led Cignal’s collective effort with 13 points, all coming from attacks to dispatch Ateneo in an hour and 25 minutes.

Espejo haunted his former school with 12 points, nailing nine attacks as Cignal improved to 4-1 for the second seed, joining unbeaten National University (4-0) and Navy (3-1) in the semis.

JP Bugaoan provided solid net defense, nailing five of the team’s 11 blocks to finish with 10 points, while former Blue Eagles Rex Intal and Ysay Marasigan chipped in seven markers each to school their former squad.

Ateneo dropped to 1-4 tying Army-Katinko and Sta. Rosa. The three teams are still in playoff contention but their semis fate is no longer in their hands as a win by VNS-One Alicia (2-2) completes the Final Four cast.

Kennedy Batas and Jian Salarzon had 10 points each for Ateneo, which had no answer for Cignal’s net defense that led to 11 blocks.