On Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum, Marck Espejo led Cignal to a 25-23, 25-19, 25-15 victory over Imus-Ivy Tuason Photography in the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference semifinals.
Espejo finished the game with 19 points on 15 of 19 attacks, 4 blocks, while Cignal’s team captain Ysay Marasigan contributed 13 points.
The fourth-seeded AJAA Spikers’ offense was thwarted by Cignal’s net defense, which came through with 14 rejections to their rivals’ 5 at the beginning of the round-robin semifinals.
“I want to give credit sa mga players ko. Why? Kasi nag-perform sila nang maayos. Even though last game namin panalo kami pero medyo down, we were down kahit na 10-0 kami kasi ayun nga, may history kami na sana nagawa namin,” said HD Spikers head coach Dexter Clamor.
Coach Dexter referred to his wards’ unsuccessful attempt to complete an elimination round sweep without dropping a set after being forced into a four-game match against the National U Volley Builders.
In the other match, Iloilo defeated AMC-Cotabato to revenge their earlier loss, winning 25-19, 25-22, and 25-23 to tie Cignal for the early lead in the semifinals.
Jade Disquitado finished with a game-high 19 points, all on attacks, while Mfena Gwaza added 4 attacks, 4 aces, and 3 blocks for an additional 11 points to help the D’Navigators hold off the Cotabao Spikers in the last two sets.
“Ito kasi back to zero na ‘to eh. Semis na so talagang pinag-ensayuhan namin ‘to, nag-prepare talaga kami sa game na ‘to saka siguro para sa amin din talaga ‘tong game na ‘to, binigay talaga siguro ni Lord sa amin,” said Iloilo head coach John Kenneth Panes, who lost to the Cotabato Spikers in 4 at the end of the elims last Sunday.
On Friday, the semifinals will resume, with Cignal and Iloilo competing for the sole lead, while Imus and Cotabato eliminating one another.
