For the Cignal HD Spikers, eight Spikers' Turf championships are just the beginning.
Eight championships might sound like the pinnacle of success, but for the Cignal HD Spikers, it’s just another step on their journey to greatness.
Fresh off their straight-set victory over the Criss Cross King Crunchers in the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Finals, the HD Spikers remain hungry for more as they set their sights on future conquests.
Cignal head coach Dexter Clamor revealed the team’s unwavering commitment to excellence.
“For me, the key, even though nag-cha-champion kami palagi, siguro 'yung lagi kaming hungry for more,” Clamor said in an interview on One News’ Play by Play. “Every conference, may mga bagong player, every conference, tinutulungan at tinuturuan namin 'yung new ones to adopt our system, so siguro 'yun.
However, the Invitational Conference championship had its unique set of challenges, making the victory even more special for the team.
The HD Spikers lost twice in the conference: the first was during their elimination round match against the Savouge Spin Doctors, and the second was during their semis match against the King Crunchers.
Cignal also played without superstar Bryan Bagunas, who continues to recover from a knee injury. Some HD Spikers such as Louie Ramirez, Joshua Retamar, EJ Casana, Jau Umandal, and Lloyd Josafat, also had national team commitments prior to the start of the conference.
“Every conference naman has a different story eh. Pero ito kaka-iba talaga kasi medyo sobrang stressful itong conference na ito dahil natalo kami nung elimination round nung Savouge, so hindi namin ineexpect 'yun,” Clamor shared.
“At the same time, during the start of the conference, I was worried kasi medyo kulang kami sa preparation. Kulang talaga kasi half of the team nagte-training sa national team, compared 'yung ibang mga kalaban namin, they started last June pa. Kami October 1 pa lang, so siguro 'yun 'yung medyo nakakabahala but still, we were able to get the championship,” he added.
Despite these hurdles, Cignal showcased their resilience and determination, sweeping their finals series with precision and teamwork.
While their dominance is undeniable, Clamor acknowledged that maintaining their championship form will require continuous improvement.
“Ang expectation namin, may tatalo at tatalo sa 'min like what happened last conference na tinalo kami ng Savouge. So, we will work harder for the next conference. Still, 'yung connection kailangan pa rin namin ma-polish. Alam din naman ni Owa 'yun. Sabi nga ni Owa, napaka-importante sa kanya nung connection lalo na at setter siya,” Clamor explained.
“We will double kung ano 'yung effort namin last conference para tuloy-tuloy pa rin 'yung panalo. Hindi kami magsasawa hanggat maraming sumusuporta sa Cignal men's volleyball team,” he emphasized.
With their eyes on the next season, the HD Spikers are determined to defend their title and continue setting the gold standard in Philippine men’s volleyball.
For Cignal, eight championships are just the beginning.