Spikers’ Turf: Cignal beats Criss Cross for 1-0 Finals lead

Cignal HD Spikers’ Jau Umanda during Game 1 of the Game 1 of the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference Finals against Criss Cross King Crunchers. –HANDOUT PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines —Defending champion Cignal picked the perfect time to crack the code against Criss Cross, eking out a 22-25, 25-19, 22-25, 25-21, 15-12 victory in Game 1 of the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference Finals on Wednesday night at Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

After losing three times to the King Crunchers, the HD Spikers proved that the finals is a different battlefield with Jau Umandal willing his team from a 1-2 match deficit before delivering in the decisive fifth set against the erstwhile-unbeaten side.

READ: Spikers’ Turf: Ish Polvorosa wants no letup from Criss Cross

Tied at 11-all in the final frame, Umandal drilled an off-the-block hit to give Cignal the lead, but Marck Espejo answered to level the score again. Umandal scored back-to-back points to bring the HD Spikers to match point, 14-12, before an uncharacteristic attack error from reigning MVP Jude Garcia sealed the victory.

Umandal, who finished with 19 points after the grueling two-hour and 16-minute battle, hopes to lead Cignal to a title-clinching win in Game 2 on Friday at Philsports Arena.

“We just went back to our goal, to our purpose as a team,” said Umandal in Filipino. “We didn’t beat them in any of our three previous matches, so we really set our sights on winning in the finals.”

Criss Cross King Crunchers’ Marck Espejo. –SPIKERS TURF PHOTO

Middle blocker JP Bugaoan contributed 16 points before exiting in the fourth set due to cramps and missing the entire fifth frame. Steven Rotter chipped 13 points, while Wendel Miguel and Lloyd Josafat chipped in nine and seven points, respectively.

Libero Vince Lorenzo held his ground with 37 excellent receptions and five digs as Cignal displayed its championship poise and mastery of Criss Cross, which has been its opponent for the past three championship series.

“That’s very commendable—the heart, the fight. Because in terms of skills, we’re almost the same. They might even have the edge, but I think we had the bigger heart, the champion spirit within us,” said Cignal coach Dexter Clamor.

Garcia powered Criss Cross with 21 points. Espejo had 15 points. Nico Almendras delivered 13 points and 21 excellent receptions, while Kim Malabunga added 10 points.

Setter Ish Polvorosa tossed 32 excellent sets, as libero Manuel Sumanguid tallied 21 excellent receptions and 17 digs only for their team to commit 33 errors.

Savogue also nears bronze

Savouge in the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference battle for bronze. –HANDOUT PHOTO

Meanwhile, Savouge moved a win closer to its second straight Spikers’ Turf bronze after beating VNS-Laticrete, 21-25, 25-15, 26-24, 25-22.

Mark Calado continued his scoring tear with a game-high 30 points on 26 attacks, three kill blocks, and an ace, while Giles Torres dropped 21 points off 11 attacks, six kill blocks, and four aces.

“I told my teammates in the third set, when we were trailing, that every point must be earned, and we had to stay composed and fight for each one,” said Calado in Filipino after tallying 12 excellent receptions.. “We found our rhythm, gained consistency, and took the set – and eventually, the match.”

READ: Spikers’ Turf: Savouge breaking stereotypes on way to semis

However, Savouge suffered a setback as Shawie Caritativo sustained an ankle injury after a bad landing in the third set. He finished with just two points before exiting the match.

Savouge experimented with its starting lineup early on but struggled to find rhythm, prompting head coach Sydney Calderon to revert to her usual rotation. The adjustment proved effective, fueling a dominant second-set performance and a hard-fought win in the extended third.

Despite the victory, Calderon pointed to unforced errors as a major hurdle in the opening set.

Renzel Antonio and Hero Austria were also instrumental for the Spin Doctors with eight and seven points, respectively. Setter JC Enarciso dished out 15 excellent sets, while Rikko Marmeto protected the floor with 15 excellent receptions and nine digs.

“I constantly remind the team that errors are within our control. We gave away the first set with around nine or ten errors,” said Savouge coach Sydney Calderon after giving up a total of 27 miscues in the match.

“But in the second set, we only had four errors—that’s a huge adjustment from my team. It all comes down to controlling mistakes. Skill-wise, they played well.”

Bryan Jaleco led the way for VNS with 15 points on 12 attacks and three kill blocks. CJ Segui had 14 points and 13 excellent receptions, while Kenneth Culabat added 11 points, eight excellent digs, and 11 excellent receptions.