Cignal HD Spikers’ JP Bugaoan. –PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Cignal extended its winning streak to three games even with Marck Espejo sitting out, scoring a 25-22, 25-16, 27-25 victory over Air Force on Friday in the 2023 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference at Paco Arena.
Despite not fielding in Espejo due to load management, the HD Spikers remained dominant with JP Bugaoan leading the way with 16 points built on 13 kills, two blocks, and an ace.
Cignal rose to a 3-0 record, sharing the lead with idle squads AMC-Cotabato and Iloilo.
Ysay Marasigan chipped in 10 points, while Wendel Miguel added eight markers. Starting setter EJ Casana also played limited action with Geuel Asia dishing out 19 excellent sets.
“We are now in load management when it comes to our players since the league is still long. We still have a lot of games left and our program is still working the players’ strength and conditioning that’s why we keep on trying different rotations,” said Cignal coach Dexter Clamor in Filipino.
“Actually, it boils down to our team chemistry and championship experience so even we went down by two in the third, they were able to finish the game.”
The Airmen were on the verge of extending the match after reaching the set point of the third, 24-22, from Ranran Abdilla’s crosscourt spike.
The HD Spikers saved set point advantages thrice and took the match point, 26-25, after Abdilla’s crucial attack error. Bugaoan sealed the win with a big block on Edwin Tolentino.
Air Force slid to a 1-3 record with Abdilla leading the way with 15 points, nine excellent receptions, and four digs. Tolentino added 10 markers in a losing effort.