Cignal’s Owa Retamar in Spikers’ Turf.–Spikers’ Turf photo
MANILA, Philippines — Cignal newcomers Owa Retamar and JM Ronquillo were as good as advertised after leading the HD Spikers past winless Chichi DHTSI, 25-16, 25-16, 25-15, in the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference on Tuesday at Santa Rosa Sports Complex in Laguna.
The HD Spikers asserted their dominance right away, sending the Titans to their third straight defeat in just 71 minutes.
Retamar, the former National University star, who was a thorn in the side of Cignal in the Invitationals last year, debuted for his new team with 10 excellent sets in just two sets played, while ex-La Salle spiker Ronquillo made his presence felt with nine points off five attacks, two blocks, and a pair of aces.
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It may be a dominant debut for the HD Spikers, who nailed 48 attacks and limited the Titans to just 18 kills without playing NCAA MVP Louie Ramirez, Wendel Miguel, and new recruit Steven Rotter but Cignal coach Dexter Clamor wasn’t satisfied.
“Maybe to others, it looks like a strong start, but for us coaches and players, we’re not completely satisfied. We committed a lot of unforced errors that shouldn’t be happening at our level,” said Clamor.
Cignal is raring to sweep the Spikers’ Turf season and redeem itself from a heartbreaking Invitational final loss to Sta. Elena NU last year.
Jau Umandal also shone for the HD Spikers with 12 points. Mark Calado and JP Bugaoan chipped in 10 and nine points, respectively. Libero Vince Lorenzo had 10 digs and nine solid receptions.
Chichi remained winless in three games as Matt Miguel was its top scorer with just six points.
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Meanwhile, Savouge gained the share of the 2-0 lead with the idle DN Steel-Far Eastern University after sweeping VNS, 25-16, 25-23, 25-16.
Ten Spin Doctors contributed at least two points with Vince Imperial dishing out 12 excellent sets and Rikko Marmeto giving a good first ball with 13 excellent receptions to dominate the Griffins in just 77 minutes.
Lorenz Señoron and Norwel Sanama powered Savouge with nine points each, while Giles Torres and Louis Gamban had eight and seven points, respectively.
“Lagi ko ngang sinasabi sa team ko na let’s do it one step at a time. So kung sino ‘yung makakalaban natin, gawin lang natin ‘yung best natin.So ‘yun lang sinabi ko sa kanila. ‘Wag muna nating isipin ‘yung ranking na ‘yan,” said Savouge coach Sydney Calderon.
“Pinaghirapan namin ‘yung win namin today, it was a team effort kasi lahat gumagalaw. Nakita niyo naman pinasok namin lahat ng players.”
VNS dropped to a 1-2 record with Roderick Medino leading the way with 11 points despite playing through flu-like symptoms.