Cignal HD Spikers in the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference semifinal round. –PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Cignal and Criss Cross are on pace for a second straight championship clash after opening their respective Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference semifinal round campaigns on a high note on Wednesday at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
Open Conference champion Cignal got back at its elimination round tormentor Savouge with a vengeful 25-21, 25-21, 25-20 sweep.
Eager to redeem themselves from a five-set loss to Savouge, Louie Ramirez led the collective effort of the HD Spikers to win their first assignment in the semifinal round in just 93 minutes.
READ: Spikers’ Turf: Savouge breaking stereotypes on way to semis
NCAA MVP Ramirez poured in 17 points — all from kills off his 28 attack attempts. JM Ronquillo backed stop their top scorer with 14 points, while Wendel Miguel added eight points, seven excellent receptions, and five digs.
“The first thing I told them was to avoid the ‘gigil factor’—just play your game,” said Cignal coach Dexter Clamor. “It was hurt to lose during the elimination round, but that served as our motivation coming into the semifinals.”
READ: Spikers’ Turf: Cignal overcomes Jude Garcia, Criss Cross
“I’m grateful to the players for listening and contributing both on and off the court. But we still need to develop maturity because there’s a lack of sense of urgency. Complacency is something we need to avoid in the semifinals,” he added.
Cignal takes on DN Steel Far Eastern University on Friday before its rivalry game against Criss Cross on Sunday.
Savouge couldn’t replicate its elimination round win over Cignal, losing its first semis game ahead of its game on Friday against visiting Japanese team Kondohgumi Hyogo.
Norwel Sanama was the lone double-digit with 11 points, while John Diwa added eight points.
Criss Cross King Crunchers Jude Garcia. –PVL PHOTO
Meanwhile, Criss Cross dominated DN Steel FEU, 25-21, 25-21, 25-11, with Jude Garcia haunting his alma mater anew with 18 points.
Spikers’ Turf MVP Garcia, an assistant coach of FEU, drilled 13 kills on 21 attempts, four service aces, and a block to deliver the King Crunchers’ first win in the round-robin semis, where the top two teams advancing to the winner-take-all final.
Team Captain Ysay Marasigan chipped in 12 points and four excellent digs. Gian Glorioso anchored the defense with six kill blocks to finish with nine points. Nico Almendras and Rex Intal added six points each with the former contributing 11 excellent receptions, while setter Ish Polvorosa orchestrated the offense with 16 excellent sets.
READ: Spikers’ Turf: Gian Glorioso steps up for Criss Cross
“Actually, in our past few training sessions, I really scolded the team, emphasizing that we need to focus now because, in the last Spikers’ Turf conference, we relaxed a bit and got into trouble,” said Marasigan.
“We got lucky last time, which is why we made it to the finals, but we can’t afford that anymore. We can’t be relaxed or complacent. We’re really focused on following all of Coach Tai [Bundit’s] instructions this time,” he added.
Criss Cross battles Cignal on Sunday in another intense Open Conference finals rematch.
FEU slid to a 0-1 record with Dryx Saavedra being their lone bright spot with 15 points, while Mikko Espartero contributed nine.