The Cignal HD Spikers are riding high on success as they showcased their talent and experience by defeating the De La Salle-EcoOil Green Oilers, marking their fourth straight win in the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference on November 15, 2024. The match took place at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City, where Cignal swept La Salle with scores of 25-21, 25-12, and 25-19, effectively dealing La Salle their first loss of the tournament.
Cignal's victory solidified their placement within the league, securing the second position with an impressive record of 5-1. The team, loaded with seasoned players, demonstrated why they are considered contenders, delivering disciplined and skillful gameplay against the younger La Salle squad.
Head coach Dexter Clamor highlighted the team's focus and effort, particularly during the second set where they made only four errors—a stark improvement from the ten errors committed during the first set. Clamor expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, stating, "I'm very happy lalo na nung second set na ang errors namin ay four lang. I was quite pissed off during the first set kasi we had 10 errors... I’m very happy kasi alam naman natin ang mga bata aggressive yan."
Drawing upon their collegiate backgrounds, Clamor reminded his players of the prowess they held as stars at their respective universities, pushing them to leverage their experience against the younger competitors. His approach seemed effective, as standout players like Louie Ramirez and JM Ronquillo shone throughout the match, delivering pivotal offensive plays.
Louie Ramirez's performance was particularly notable, ending the game with 16 points through effective hits, achieving 15 out of 24 attempts. Other contributors included Lloyd Josafat and Wendel Miguel, both scoring 9 points each, with Josafat making strategic plays as their middle blocker. JM Ronquillo also stepped up, adding 8 points to the scoreboard, alongside JP Bugaoan who contributed 7 points, featuring four impressive blocks.
On the La Salle side, Noel Kampton managed to gather 12 points along with 8 excellent receptions, but their efforts fell short against Cignal's overwhelming powers. Despite demonstrating resilience, La Salle couldn’t match the intensity and experience Cignal brought to the court.
Looking forward, both Cignal and La Salle are set to return to the action next week. Cignal will face VNS on November 22 at 6:00 p.m., and La Salle will battle it out against fellow collegiate team Far Eastern University-DN Steel at 4:00 p.m. This upcoming schedule is all set to keep fans on the edge of their seats as the competition heats up.
The 2024 Spikers' Turf Invitational Conference, organized by Sports Vision, has served as a platform for showcasing the attractive and competitive nature of men's volleyball. With Cignal HD Spikers performing at this level, they position themselves as serious contenders for the championship, aiming for continued success throughout the remainder of the tournament.
