Even after winning their 9th Spikers' Turf title, Cignal head coach Dexter Clamor and the rest of the HD Spikers remain hungry as even to win even more championships.
Cignal head coach Dexter Clamor knows the weight of staying on top, and after securing a third straight Spikers’ Turf title, he made it clear: the hunger is far from gone.
The HD Spikers capped their latest championship run with a surprising straight-sets win over the Criss Cross King Crunchers, 25-22, 25-16, 28-26, in Game 3 of the 2025 Open Conference Finals at the Philsports Arena on Sunday, April 6.
But behind the confetti and celebrations was a conference that tested the core of the team like never before.
“This conference, sobrang daming challenges—injuries, internal issues,” Clamor admitted. “But ang maganda dito nare-resolve namin right away kung ano ‘yung nagiging problema namin. So, talagang itong championship talagang collective effort ng bawa't isa.”
“Talagang pinaghandaan talaga namin physically, mentally, lahat na and sobrang pinagpapa-salamat ko is nakipag-cooperate yung mga players,” he added.
Clamor, who has now led Cignal to six league titles, acknowledged that staying on top presents its own set of battles.
Prior to the Finals, the HD Spikers lost thrice to the King Crunchers in the elimination round and single round-robin semifinals.
Despite this, Cignal showed why they are the top dogs at the end of every conference.
“Ang pinakamahirap talaga is to defend the title,” he said. “Pag nandun ka na sa taas, mahirap talaga na di ba, papasukan talaga ng complacency. Siguro ‘yung motivation na binibigay samin ng management.”
That championship culture, forged by setbacks and sustained by consistent preparation, has fueled the HD Spikers’ dynasty, which has reached to nine Spikers’ Turf titles.
“Hindi kami nagsasawa na kumuha lagi ng championship kasi 'yun 'yung kultura na meron kami at alam namin kung gaano kasakit matalo, so 'yun siguro,” said Clamor.
And with the fire still burning, Clamor left no doubt about their future goals.
“Of course, for the next conference, kukuha at kukuhanin parin namin."