Cignal HD Spikers survive the Cotabato Spikers in Game 2 of the finals of the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference, 25-21, 22-25, 25-17, 28-30, 15-7, to win the championship and complete their sweep of the tournament.
Runners-up in last year’s Open Conference, Cignal came out hungry on Friday to get their redemption. However, they faced an undaunted Cotabato squad in the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
The Spikers pushed the game to a thrilling five sets—giving the HD Spikers a challenge they have yet to face all conference long. Before Game 2, the undefeated Cignal only dropped two sets in 14 games, none of those went to a decider fifth set.
For ace Marck Espejo, they were ultimately boosted by their desire to win and bring back the title to Cignal.
“Sobrang special siya kasi nung last time nga natalo kami against [NU-Sta. Elena Nationals], so parang ito ‘yung redemption,” said Espejo, who was named Most Valuable Player of the finals.
“Sobrang saya talaga, lahat ng pinaghirapan namin, ito na nagbunga na. Hindi naging madali ‘yung pinagdaanan namin pero talagang tyinaga lang namin and ayun, talagang binigay sa amin,” said setter EJ Casaña.
But Espejo and Casaña did not have to do it just by themselves.
Cignal showed its depth in all 15 games they have won, but that talent seems to have soared the most in the most crucial game of the season. Coach Dexter Clamor has seen that himself.
“I will give all the credit sa mga players, sa mga coaches kasi pinagtulungan naming lahat,” said Clamor, who has now won his fourth Spikers’ Turf title.
“Happy ako na lahat kami nag-contribute sa game na ito,” added Espejo.
The 2023 Open Conference title is now the sixth overall championship of Cignal.