By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Cignal HD Spikers wrapped up their Spikers’ Turf preliminary campaign with a perfect undefeated record after sweeping the Saints and Lattes-Letran squad, 25-10, 25-18, 25-20, last December 12, 2023, held at the Philsports Arena.
Already assured of a grand finals ticket before their finale elimination game against Letran, the HD Spikers still showed that hunger to win and banked on the confidence of their second unit.
The HD Spikers decided to sit out all of their main gunners and let their substitute players run the show in a lopsided 3-0 victory result.
Alfred Valbuena stepped up for the HD Spikers and top-scored his team with 14 big points built from 12 successful attacks.
During the third and final set where Letran started to make things interesting, it was Valbuena who provided the finishing touches for the HD Spikers.
Valbuena capped off the third set with a three-point explosion to help Cignal build a comfortable cushion in the final seven ball possessions.
Backstopping Valbuena during Cignal’s final elimination win was Chu Njigha who contributed 13 points built from nine successful attacks and four blocks.
The star players who sat out for the HD Spikers against Letran were Peter Torres, Jau Umandal, JP Bugaoan, Ysay Marasigan, Manuel Sumanguid, and EJ Casana.
Yung second stringers namin nag-trabaho talaga, gusto nilang makatulong na makapagpahinga yung first six namin in preparation sa game namin sa Friday,” said Cignal head coach Dexter Clamor.
After two days of rest, the HD Spikers will then square off against the NU-Sta Elena squad in the grand finals of the 2023 Spikers’ Turf on December 15, 2023.
