Cignal overcomes Jude Garcia, Criss Cross

MANILA, Philippines — Cignal leaned on its depth to deny Criss Cross’ fightback, led by Jude Garcia’s 35-point explosion, for a 25-21, 25-21, 25-27, 18-25, 15-11 win in the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference before a lively Sunday crowd at Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

The HD Spikers flirted with disaster after taking a two-set advantage but setter Owa Retamar spelled the difference in the fifth frame with crucial players to help his team assert its mastery of their Open Conference finals rival and hand them their first defeat.

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READ: Spikers’ Turf: Cignal bounces back with dominant win

Cignal coach Dexter Clamor turned to EJ Casaña, who had 18 excellent sets in four sets played, as Retamar, who was benched in the first three sets and only subbed in the fourth, continued to adjust with his new club team.

“We’re happy that we won, but our problems from past games came up again. We know we can win, but we’ve been a bit complacent. That’s something we need to work on. Also, we need better connection with our new setter, Owa, because we haven’t trained enough with her yet. These are the things we will focus on in the coming days,” said Clamor.

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“I don’t have a problem with Owa; he’s a good setter. But volleyball is a team sport, so we need to have a good connection with the spikers, especially in the middle.”

NCAA MVP Louie Ramirez unleashed 19 points to lead the HD Spikers to a 3-1 record. JM Ronquillo and Jau Umandal chipped in 12 points each, while JP Bugaoan, who suffered from cramps late in the game, finished with 11 points.

READ: Spikers’ Turf: Owa Retamar, Cignal score quick win

Criss Cross slid to a 2-1 record with Garcia hitting 33 kills and two blocks on top of a tremendous defensive effort of 26 excellent receptions and 11 digs.

Chu Njigha had 11 points including three blocks, as Ish Polvorosa had 24 excellent sets in their first loss of the conference.

FEU still unbeaten

Meanwhile, DN Steel-Far Eastern U preserved its league-leading 4-0 record after surviving VNS, 23-25, 23-25, 25-19, 25-20, 15-10.

The Ultras blew a two-set lead but got their act together in the fifth with an 11-6 start off a 5-0 run ignited by Jelord Talisayan before Benny Martinez’s ace and the former’s off-the-block kill secured the victory for FEU after a grueling two-hour and three-minute marathon.

Doula Ndongala powered FEU with 17 points including six blocks, while Dryx Saavedra delivered 16 points

READ: Spikers’ Turf: Criss Cross cruises, FEU soars to 3-0

“A win is a win. No matter what VNS’s standing is, even if we played poorly in the first two sets, that happens sometimes. We need to stay focused,” said FEU coach Eddieson Orcullo. “We always say not to relax, but when you know the other team hasn’t won yet and their standing isn’t good while you’re in a strong position, that mindset can affect any player.”

Luis Miguel contributed 13 points for FEU. Talisayan and Lirick Mendoza added 12 and 10 points, respectively. Martinez had 22 excellent sets to go along with five points, while Vennie Paul Ceballos registered 12 excellent receptions and five excellent digs.

VNS slid to a 1-3 record despite CJ Segui’s 22 points, 13 excellent receptions, and four digs. Roderick Medino had 16 points.

Earlier, La Salle-EcoOil swept Chichi DHTSI, 25-18, 25-6, 25-20, earning a 2-0 record after 66 minutes. 

Joshua Magalaman delivered a game-high 10 points from seven attacks and three blocks to lead La Salle’s charge, while Vince Maglinao contributed eight points – all on attacks – in just two sets, while Noel Kampton, Eugene Gloria, and Nathaniel Del Pilar added six points apiece with setter Eco Adajar dishing out 10 excellent sets.

Chichi remained winless in five games.