Cignal’s Louie Ramirez. Photo from Spikers’ Turf
MANILA, Philippines — Louie Ramirez made a rousing return to action after missing Cignal’s first two games in the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference due to a shoulder injury.
The power-hitter debuted with a bang before flexing his firepower as the HD Spikers won back-to-back games following a sorry loss for a 3-1 win-loss record.
He was impressive in his first game with Cignal, scoring seven points despite playing only in the third set of a 25-10, 25-15, 25-12, rout of Martelli Meats last October 30.
READ: Spikers’ Turf: Cignal overcomes Jude Garcia, Criss Cross
Ramirez, who played for Imus AJAA last year, would then display his scoring prowess with a 19-point explosion in a thrilling, 25-21, 25-21, 18-25, 25-27, 15-11, victory last Sunday in the much-anticipated rematch of last season’s Open Conference finals.
His awesome outings for the reigning Open Conference champion earned Ramirez the nod as the Spikers’ Turf Press Corps Player of the Week for the period of October 30 to November 3.
“Pinaka-mindset ko talaga is maglalaro ako ng all out that day against Criss Cross kasi nilagay ako sa first six kahit na ilang game akong hindi nakakalaro tiyaka gusto ko ding ibalik yung confidence ko ulit sa loob ng court,” said the 6-foot-3 open spiker out of Dasol, Pangasinan.
University of Perpetual Help product beat out teammate JM Ronquillo as well as PGJC Navy’s Joeven Dela Vega, FEU-DN Steel’s Dryx Saavedra, and La Salle EcoOil’s Joshua Magalaman for the weekly citation handed by print and online media covering the men’s premier volleyball league which is streamed live and on-demand via Pilipinas Live app and the league’s website.
READ: Spikers’ Turf: Cignal bounces back with dominant win
Ramirez is excited for his second run with the HD Spikers as he now has an abundance of experience under his belt after playing for the men’s national team under Italian head coach Angiolino Frigoni.
“Sobrang dami kung natutunan sa Alas lalo na yung tiwala ko sa sarili ko tiyaka parang nafifeel ko na naging matured ako maglaro dahil Kay coach A (Frigoni),” Ramirez said.
However, Ramirez admitted he’s still adjusting to his new teammates despite being used to head coach Dexter Clamor’s system after being with the 2022 Cignal squad.
“Sa una medyo nahirapan ako mag adjust kasi nga merong kanya-kanyang system na pinanggalingan pero ngayon unti-unti na namin nakukuha kung ano yung gusto ng bawat isa at kung anong ugali ng bawat isa,” he added.