CIGNAL stayed perfect in its third game as it turned back Army in straight sets, 25-20, 25-19, 25-17, to force a share of lead in the men’s division of Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Open Conference on Wednesday at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Reinforced champions HD Spikers, who are eyeing a season grand slam finish this Open Conference, continued to show their deadly form as they dispatched the Troopers in just 64 minutes.
Peter Torres and Saku Capate came up with 12 and 10 points, respectively, to lead Cignal. Mark Alfafara and Isay Marasigan chipped in nine hits apiece, while Rex Intal added eight markers. Setter Vince Mangulabnan made 32 excellent sets, while libero Sandy Montero protected 18 excellent digs.
“For the past few games Army has been playing well so we really prepared for them,” Cignal Head Coach Oliver Almadro said. “My players showed their resiliency and how they were prepared for this game because they know what to do every time Army makes a rally.”
The HD Spikers are now 3-0 on top, tied with Megabuilders. However, the team will miss national team players Alfafara, Bonjomar Castel and Herschel Ramos for national team training camp in Seoul, South Korea.
“That’s the reason I am slowly injecting our second stringers, so at least they are always ready,” Almadro added.
Army was led by Manuel Medina and Romnick Rico with 10 and nine points, respectively. But the Troopers fell at 1-2 win-loss card.
Instituto Estetico Manila, meanwhile, improved to 2-1 slate as it kept Gamboa Coffee winless in three games with a 25-22, 25-17, 25-13 win.
Image credits: Nonoy Lacza