Cignal HD celebrates a point against DN Steel-FEU in the 2024 Spikers' Turf Invitational Conference, December 6, 2024 at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan. PVL MediaMANILA -- Cignal HD took a big step towards securing a Finals berth in the 2024 Spikers' Turf Invitational Conference after a masterful 25-18, 25-20, 25-16 sweep of DN Steel-Far Eastern University, Friday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The HD Spikers improved to 2-0 in the semifinals phase, while sending the Ultras to their second straight defeat. Cignal HD has won nine straight matches since losing to Savouge in their second assignment in the elimination round.
"Very commendable 'yung players off the bench lalo na si EJ (Casaña) at si Mark (Calado) kasi training pa lang nakikitaan ko na sila na sobrang pinaghahandaan nila kahit hindi sila first six," said Cignal HD coach Dexter Clamor, who played Casaña and Calado in place of Owa Retamar and JM Ronquillo.
The substitution worked wonders in the second set, where the HD Spikers recovered from a slow start to close the frame with an 18-9 run.
"Yan ang gusto namin lagi dito sa Cignal na laging aggressive," the coach added.
The HD Spikers went on to take a 20-12 lead in the third frame, capitalizing on FEU's errors.
Louie Ramirez fired 14 points on 12 attacks and two blocks, while Calado added nine points from an efficient 9-of-12 hitting in just two sets. Lloyd Josafat also scored nine points built on three aces while Wendell Miguel had eight points, including four kill blocks.
The Ultras, coming off an impressive prelims round, will try to recover lost grounds as they face Japanese guest team, KondohGumi Hyogo tomorrow (Sunday) in a 4 p.m. appetizer to the keenly awaited Cignal-Criss Cross rematch at 6 p.m.
Dryx Saavedra scored 10 points while Jelord Talisayan added nine points for the Ultras.
In the second game, Savouge gave guest team KondohGumi Hyogo a rude welcome to the competition as they pulled off a 25-16, 25-19, 34-32 sweep.
Giles Torres and Sherwin Caritativo led the way with 14 and 13 points, respectively, as the Spin Doctors improved to 1-1 in the semis and remained in contention for a place in the gold medal match.