Louie Ramirez of Cignal HD attacks the Alpha Insurance defense during their match in the 2025 Spikers' Turf Invitational Conference, October 29, 2025 at the Paco Arena. PVL Media
MANILA -- Louie Ramirez stepped up in crunch time to power Cignal past a gritty Alpha Insurance side, 20-25, 25-22, 21-25, 25-23, 15-11, for their second straight win in the 2025 Spikers' Turf Invitational Conference.
Ramirez was kept in check in the first three sets on Wednesday night at the Paco Arena, but came alive in the final two frames to spearhead the Super Spikers' comeback.
The former NCAA MVP from Perpetual Help struggled early, managing only three points as the Super Spikers fell behind, 1–2. Coach Dexter Clamor decided to sit him briefly – a move that proved pivotal.
"Nagmatyag talaga ako nung nilabas ako. Sabi ko, pag pinasok ako sa Set 4, tutulungan ko ang team. At bumawi talaga ako," said Ramirez, who made good on that promise in emphatic fashion.
Ramirez caught fire in the fourth and fifth, unleashing a variety of attacks while also registering a crucial kill block late in Set 4 that helped Cignal force a decider.
He then took over in the fifth set, anchoring a 6-0 run that turned a 3-6 deficit into a 9-6 advantage.
The Protectors managed to save one match point but Ramirez would not be denied, soaring for the match-clinching spike.
Ramirez finished with a game-high 23 points, 10 of which came in the final set, on 20 attacks and three kill blocks in the two-hour victory.
He later credited his coaches and teammates for believing in him even when things weren't clicking early on.
"Unang-una, salamat sa mga coaches ko for their trust. Kahit pangit laro ko sa umpisa, sabi ko lang pagbubutihin ko para hindi masira ang tiwala ng coaches at teammates ko," said Ramirez.
Supporting Ramirez was team captain JP Bugaoan tallied 15 points on 11 attacks and four of the team's whopping 18 kill blocks, while JM Ronquillo and Josafat added 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Meanwhile, the Protectors — who tallied just two wins in their debut conference — came heartbreakingly close to matching that mark in only their second game of the Invitationals, only to fall short and drop to 1-1.
Motol spearheaded Alpha Insurance's brave stand with 18 points on 13 attacks, four blocks, and one ace to go along with 33 excellent receptions, while Casas and Barbie San Andres registered 17 and 16 points, respectively.