One Sports
Friday, December 06, 2024
The Cignal HD Spikers dispatched a reeling DN Steel-FEU Ultras to strengthen their campaign to enter the Finals of the 2024 Spikers' Turf Invitational Conference.
Louie Ramirez led the Cignal HD Spikers in the masterful dismantling of DN Steel-FEU Ultras in the 2024 Spikers' Turf Invitational Conference. | Photo: Spikers' Turf
Cignal reaffirmed its status as the team to beat after dismantling the youthful FEU DN Steel side in straight sets, 25-18, 25-20, 25-16, on Friday at the FilOil EcoOil Arena.
The commanding victory boosts Cignal's bid for a finals appearance in the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference while sending the Ultras to the brink of elimination with a second straight shutout loss.
The HD Spikers, noted for their well-rounded game, brought a clinical performance to the semis stage, building on the momentum from their convincing triumph over the Savouge Spin Doctors last Wednesday.
Their dominance throughout the tournament, now extending to a nine-game win run, has showcased their unrelenting drive to secure another title, following their victory in the Open Conference earlier this year.
Cignal coach Dexter Clamor made a tactical ploy, shaking up the rotation to disrupt the Ultras’ defense and rhythm. Opting for the setter-opposite duo of EJ Casaña and Mark Calado over the usual Owa Retamar-JM Ronquillo tandem as the adjustment proved decisive.
The move paid off handsomely, particularly in the second set, where the HD Spikers turned a shaky start into a commanding 18-9 run to close the set, putting them one step closer to a sweep.
“Very commendable ‘yung players off the bench lalo na si EJ (Casaña) at si Mark (Calado) kasi training pa lang nakikitaan ko na sila na sobrang pinaghahandaan nila kahit hindi sila first six. Yan ang gusto namin lagi dito sa Cignal na laging aggressive,” said Clamor.
Despite their dominant opening set, the HD Spikers encountered resistance in the second as the Ultras surged to an early 11-7 lead. However, the Casaña-Calado pairing ignited a swift turnaround, quickly erasing FEU’s advantage and restoring Cignal’s momentum.
This helped reassert the HD Spikers’ dominance, culminating in an emphatic 90-minute victory over the Morayta-based squad.
Adding to their superiority was their ability to minimize unforced errors, particularly in the decisive third set. While FEU struggled with six crucial errors, Cignal built an insurmountable 20-12 lead, displaying a near-flawless performance.
Even when a rare service fault momentarily disrupted their rhythm, they quickly regained focus to close out the match with authority.
Louie Ramirez fired 14 points on 12 attacks and two blocks, while Calado added nine points from an efficient 9-of-12 hitting in just two sets.
Lloyd Josafat also scored nine points built on three aces while Wendell Miguel had eight points, including four kill blocks.
The Ultras, coming off an impressive prelim round, will try to recover lost grounds as they face Japanese guest team, KondohGumi Hyogo tomorrow (Sunday) in a 4 p.m. appetizer to the keenly awaited Cignal-Criss Cross rematch at 6 p.m.
“Actually it’s more on mindset because when it comes to skills almost the same lang lahat. Ang factor dito ay kung sino yung mas gustong manalo,” said Clamor on Criss Cross where the HD Spikers will be looking to repeat their 25-21, 25-21, 25-27, 18-25, 15-11 win in the elimination round.
Dryx Saavedra scored 10 points while Jelord Talisayan added nine points for the Ultras.