Cignal too much for PLDT spikers
By Kristel Satumbaga
Defending champion Cignal outplayed PLDT in a thrilling duel, 25-23, 25-19, 33-31, and clinched the first finals berth in their do-or-die semis match in the men’s division of the 2018 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference yesterday at The Arena in San Juan City.
The HD Spikers refused to blink in a marathon third set as Marck Espejo and Ysay Marasigan came through with huge spikes on the way to their third straight championship appearance.
Espejo, as expected, led the team with 22 points, including 19 kills, while Marasigan chipped in 12 spikes to finish with 13 points.
Though Espejo and Marasigan spearheaded Cignal’s assault throughout the one hour, 29-minute match, Cignal coach Oliver Almadro said it was team effort especially in the crunch.
“Everybody delivered. We didn’t rely on just one player. It takes a right attitude and big character to beat that kind of PLDT team,” said Almadro whose team was coming off a tough 22-25, 27-25, 20-25, 25-22, 15-11 loss in Game 2 last Wednesday.
The HD Spikers won Game 1 of their best-of-three semis last Sunday, 25-22, 25-20, 26-24.