The Cignal Super Spikers celebrate a point against Savouge in the bronze medal match of the 2025 Spikers' Turf Invitational Conference, November 29, 2025 at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan. PVL Media
MANILA -- Cignal may have missed out on another chance at a title, but the Super Spikers made sure to still secure a podium finish in the 2025 Spikers' Turf Invitational Conference.
The Super Spikers overcame Savouge in an eventful affair marked by a handful of late challenges, 25-18, 17-25, 23-25, 25-19, 15-12, in the bronze medal match on Saturday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Down 1-2 after the third set, Cignal regrouped and swept the final two frames -- a result that also allowed them to avenge a straight-set loss to the Spin Doctors in the semifinals just five days ago.
"For the past seven or eight years lagi kaming nasa Finals. Still, for us, this is still special for us kasi nga 'yung mga national team players wala but natawid namin, podium finish pa rin. Bronze is bronze," said Cignal coach Dexter Clamor, whose squad is missing some key players due to national team duty.
"Proud ako sa mga team captains ko, si JP [Bugaoan] at Wendel [Miguel] na itinawid talaga nila, binuo talaga nila 'yung team para patuloy kaming gumawa ng mga bagay na alam naming makakatulong sa team at para makuha pa rin 'yung panalo," he added.
The Spin Doctors moved a set away from securing another bronze after snatching the third frame, 25-23, on an off-the-block hit by Giles Torres.
But the Super Spikers came alive in the fourth set, leaning on Miguel, brothers JP and Martin Bugaoan, and Vince Maglinao in a 9-3 scoring spree that broke a 16-all deadlock and sent the match to a decider.
In the back-and-forth decider, Maglinao scored on a clutch block touch before Cian Silang rejected Shawie Caritativo at the net, and Steve Rotter fired an ace for a 14-11 Cignal advantage.
However, the match took a dramatic turn after Maglinao scored what appeared to be the winner off a block touch. Savouge challenged the call and the video review showed that the ball did not touch their player, overturning the point in their favor, 12-14.
Cignal countered with a challenge of their own, this time for a net touch. Unfortunately for the Super Spikers, the review did not work out in their favor, keeping Savouge in the match.
In the next rally, Maglinao appeared to send an attack long, but Cignal again challenged for a block touch. This time, the replay showed that his spike touched a Savouge player's finger, sealing the victory.
Miguel, the longest-tenured Super Spiker, dropped a team-high 21 points on 20 spikes and one ace while Maglinao and Rotter contributed 12 points apiece in limited action.
"Tulad nga ng sabi ni coach Dex, nung una mabigat kasi nga alam naman natin na lagi tayong nasa finals. Pero naka-move on na rin naman kami and masaya kami sa narating namin ngayon. Masaya ako kasi 'yung response ng mga teammates ko, despite sa mga nangyayari, na ayun nga natalo kami, positive, maganda kaya sobrang proud ako sa team namin," said Miguel.
Maglinao also produced 16 excellent receptions.
The Bugaoans also made their presence felt with 10 points each with JP tallying five blocks and Martin notching three of his own.
Calado paced the Spin Doctors, who absorbed three straight losses to miss the podium, with 24 points and 10 digs.
Caritativo added 19 points and 28 excellent receptions while Norwel Sanama impressed with 18 points.