MANILA, Philippines – Cignal took out its frustration against Ateneo de Manila University-Fudgee Barr on Thursday at the Paco Arena after suffering a crushing loss to PGJC-Navy. Cignal won 25 – 14, 25 – 23, and 25 – 22 to secure a semifinal position in the 2022 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference.

The HD Spikers improved to a 4 to 1 lead for second. When compared to Army-Katinko and Santa Rosa City, the Blue Eagles drop to 1 to 4 and are tied for fifth place.

The Sealions also secured a spot in the semifinals with a score of 3 to 1, as the lowest three teams may only accumulate a maximum of two victories.

“Going back doon sa Navy, it was a tough loss sa amin since it was our first loss since 2019. It’s really a good reminder din para sa amin na kailangan pa namin magpursigi,” [it’s a good reminder for us to work harder] said Cignal head coach Dexter Clamor.

“That is why we did not perform something today that we did on Tuesday”

The HD Spikers dominated right away, quickly gaining a 16 to 7 lead before winning the opening frame 25 to 14.

But in the second, the Blue Eagles changed their minds and matched Cignal point for point. However, Louie Ramirez put a stop to it with a down-the-line spike, winning 25 to 23 with the league’s defending champion at set point.

In the end, mistakes decided the third. Jetlee Gopio, Abai Llenos, and Kennedy Batas scored the final three points for the HD Spikers.

Ramirez scored all 13 of Cignal’s points during their comeback game. Marck Espejo had 12 built, consisting of two blocks, an ace, and nine spikes.

The other 10 points came from JP Bugaoan, with the blocking category accounting for half of his total. Ysay Marasigan and Rex Intal each received seven.

With 10 points apiece, Matthew Salarzon and Batas led the Blue Eagles.

Amil Pacinio, an open spiker with Ateneo-Fudgee Barr, was absent due to a slight back injury, along with setter Emman Go, who was absent because of academic obligations.

At 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Cignal will play National University-Sta to end the elimination round. Elena. Prior to that, on Saturday against the Nationals, the Blue Eagles will receive their first opportunity.

In Spiker’s territory, Alinsunurin employs former Bullpups

With a large portion of their starting lineup drawn from the university’s high school volleyball program, the National University Lady Bulldogs easily won the UAAP Season 84 women’s volleyball championship.

And Dante Alinsunurin, the head coach of the NU Bulldogs, wants men’s volleyball to emulate that.

The seasoned bench strategist has six Nazareth School recruits and is now competing in the 2022 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference.

Alinsunurin, who is also the head coach of the men’s national team for his country, stated that his first focus is for people who attended the same high school as him.

Although not everyone is accepted into the National University program, it is crucial for us to find someone who attended the same school as us and has the potential to be great. I told the coaches that if I see someone who has this potential, I will recommend them to the coaches. We’ll give them a shot for him.

On Saturday, MJ Fortuna, Mac Bandola, and Clarenz Belostrino, three homegrown rookies, had the opportunity to play against Santa Rosa City.

In the meantime, NU-Michaelo Sta’s Buddin, who has been outstanding off the bench. Elena was inserted into the starting lineup for its first two matches.

While Buddin scored eight points, including two service aces, Fortuna made the most of his opportunities by scoring 10 points in fewer than two sets.

The new starter remarked, “I am appreciative of the faith my coach and my teammates placed in me.

I make sure to give my all throughout every session of training so I can convince my coach that I deserve to be in the top six.