SMASH. Cignal's Alfred Gerard Valbuena prepares to spike against Saints and Lattes-Letran's John Derrick Bautista during the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference semifinal at PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on Tuesday (Dec. 12, 2023). The HD Spikers will meet the Sta. Elena-Nationals for the title on Friday (Dec. 15). (Photo courtesy of Premier Volleyball League)
MANILA – Cignal relied on its second stringers to beat Saints and Lattes-Letran, 25-10, 25-18, 25-20, in a no-bearing match as it swept the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference semifinals at PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on Tuesday.
The HD Spikers already booked the first finals ticket after dominating the Perpetual-Kinto Tyres, 25-15, 25-23, 25-19, on Monday.
Cignal will face Sta. Elena-National University for the title at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City on Friday.
Alfred Gerard Valbuena scored 14 points on 12 attacks and two aces while Chumason Njigha added 13 points on nine attacks and four blocks to lead the HD Spikers to their ninth straight win, including five in the elimination round.
After John Derrick Bautista scored to put Letran within 19-21 in the third set, Cignal responded with a 4-1 run to wrap up the match in one hour and nine minutes.
“Kudos sa second stringers namin. Kung mapapansin mo, talagang walang pinasok na (starters). Si Wendell (Miguel) lang ‘di ba? Halos walang pinasok na first six (Kudos to our second stringers. If you notice, there were absolutely no starters. It was just Wendell [Miguel], wasn’t it? Almost no one in the first six was entered)," Cignal head coach Dexter Clamor said, as he gave his starters a break to prepare for their match against National University-Sta. Elena Nationals on Friday.
“’Yung second stringers namin nag-trabaho talaga. Gusto nilang makatulong na makapagpahinga ‘yung first six namin in preparation sa game namin sa Friday (Our second stringers really worked. They want to help our first six rest in preparation for our game on Friday)," he added.
Mark Calado and Lloyd Josafat contributed 11 points each, and Ruvince Abrot had seven points, as skipper Ysrael Wilson Marasigan, Joshua Umandal, John Paul Bugaoan, Peter Torres, Gabriel EJ Casana, and Manuel Sumanguid sat out the match.
Bautista had 12 points and seven excellent receptions while Vince Virrey Himzon chipped in 11 points on nine attacks and two aces for the Saints Spikers, who finished the semis with a 2-2 record. (PNA)
