The Cignal HD Spikers finish with an 8-1 record heading into the semifinals after walloping the PGJC Navy Sealions in the 2024 Spikers' Turf Invitational Conference.
Cignal flaunted its dominance as the HD Spikers wrapped up their elimination round campaign with a 25-22, 25-21, 25-18 victory over the PGJC Navy Sealions at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig on Friday.
The victory marked their seventh consecutive triumph, cementing their status as the top seed heading into the semifinals with an impressive 8-1 record. Meanwhile, it all but dashed Navy's semifinal hopes, as the Sealions concluded the elimination round with a 5-4 slate.
The reigning Open Conference champions have been unstoppable since suffering an unexpected five-set loss to the Savouge Spin Doctors last Oct. 25. From there, they stormed past formidable opponents, including the Criss Cross King Crunchers, the EcoOil La Salle Green Spikers, and the DN Steel FEU Ultras.
“Sabi ko sa team huddle, we need to end this elimination round in high morale and good momentum going to the semifinals. Lahat naman ready,” said Cignal head coach Dexter Clamor.
“Malaking bagay ‘yung winning streak sa amin pero hindi kami magiging complacent. Tapos na ang elims, back to zero. We will work on what’s next,” he added.
Cignal is set to face Criss Cross and FEU DNS-Steel in the round-robin semis with the final slot still being contested by Savouge (5-2), EcoOil La Salle (4-3) and even Navy (5-4). A win by Savouge over the Spin Doctors later in the day could spell trouble for the Green Spikers and the Sealions, whose semis chances now hang by a thread.
The semis will feature a guest team tipped to add excitement to the finals chase.
Despite Navy's desperate push to clinch a win for their semis bid, Cignal’s depth proved too much to handle. Clamor gave his second-stringers more playing time in the final set, and they responded by completing the sweep in just 84 minutes.
Standouts included Alfred Valbuena, Mark Calado, Vince Abrot, and Nas Gwaza, who collectively outclassed the Sealions in the third frame.
Mark Calado finished with 11 points in two sets, while Lloyd Josafat contributed 10 points, including four spikes, three blocks and three aces.
Joeven dela Vega, on the other hand, led Navy with 10 points, while Greg Dolor and Nilo Jasmin added nine and seven points, respectively.