Steven Rotter stayed true to his goal of being an MVP after bagging the Finals MVP plum during Cignal's title victory in the 2025 Spikers' Turf Open Conference.
Before the 2025 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference began, Cignal's Steven Rotter set a lofty goal for himself under coach Dexter Clamor.
True to his word, Rotter delivered.
The Filipino-American opposite spiker capped a breakout campaign by not only earning the Best Opposite Spiker award, but also taking home the coveted Finals MVP plum after steering the HD Spikers to a 25-22, 25-16, 28-26 Game 3 win over Criss Cross on Sunday at the Philsports Arena.
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"Before the conference started, I told coach Dexter that I wanted to strive for MVP," Rotter shared after leading Cignal to a third straight Spikers' Turf crown.
“It took a lot. It took a lot of tears, smiles, laughter, anger, and all that. I’m just glad that at the end of the day, it all paid off,” he added.
Rotter poured in 15 points in the title-clinching match built on 11 attacks, three blocks, and an ace, showcasing the composure and consistency that made him one of the most reliable weapons for Cignal.
But beyond the numbers, Rotter, who had been dealing with a Grade 2 ankle sprain since last year, emphasized the importance of simply being available and present for his team.
“It always feels good to be healthy, so I can provide whatever I can give to my team,” he said. “It can be on the bench, around the court. Just my presence, my energy. Just trying to be as positive as I can be."
“Sometimes I get hard on myself, but it’s great to be able to contribute and just be an overall good teammate and player to the Cignal management," added Rotter.
Returning to the Philippines in 2024, Rotter’s MVP dream, once just a goal in a conversation, is now a reality written in Spikers’ Turf history.