Cignal stacks talent fresh off another Spikers’ Turf title run

JM Ronquillo, Owa Retamar and Martin Bugaoan join Cignal HD Spikers’ in Spikers’ Turf.–CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Cignal bolstered its already formidable squad during the mid-year break by signing three UAAP stalwarts who were key players for their respective universities and teams.

The HD Spikers have signed setter Joshua Retamar, opposite hitter JM Ronquillo, and middle blocker Martin Bugaoan, further strengthening the team that recently won the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference.

Retamar recently led National University to a “four-peat,” the first in the school’s history. He won three straight titles during his college career, culminating in back-to-back Finals MVP awards in UAAP seasons 85 and 86.

READ: Owa Retamar signs with Cignal HD Spikers in Spikers’ Turf

JM Ronquillo played for De La Salle University as part of its three-headed attack, serving as the opposite hitter that saw the Green Spikers finish in the Final Four in the last two seasons.

Martin Bugaoan, the brother of Cignal HD Spiker JP, has also joined the squad, after finishing his collegiate career with FEU. He capped off his run with Far Eastern University with a 1st Best Middle Blocker Award in the recently concluded UAAP Season 86, where the Tamaraws finished third.

“Men’s volleyball has been gaining steam again as the pandemic died down, so we see it fit that Cignal sustains its dominance and excellence in the sport since 2013,” said Cignal coach Dexter Clamor.

READ: Cignal HD Spikers still kings of Spikers’ Turf with Open title

“The level of talent has been rising, and we want to get the best ones out there to bolster our squad and win more championships. Hopefully, these three will be here for the long haul and help us reach our goals each conference and season.”

Cignal’s acquisition of these three stalwarts will help the team sustain its excellence in men’s volleyball, with a roster now considered to be more than 10 men deep.

After winning the Open Conference earlier in 2024, they are surely looking to make it a grand slam as they set their sights on a redemption tour in the Invitational Conference come October.