Cignal's Steven Rotter goes for a spike against PGJC-Navy in the 2025 Spikers' Turf Open Conference, March 16, 2025 at the Ynares Sports Arena. PVL Media
MANILA -- Defending champion Cignal bounced back from a tough loss by sweeping PGJC-Navy, 25-19, 25-15, 25-15, in the 2025 Spikers' Turf Open Conference at the Ynares Sports Arena on Sunday.
Coming off another setback to archrival Criss Cross last Wednesday, the HD Spikers wasted no time in asserting their dominance over the also-ran Sealions. The convincing win improved Cignal's record to 7-2 heading into their final elimination round match on Wednesday.
More than just a confidence boost, the victory served as preparation for the bigger challenge ahead.
READ: Criss Cross repeats over Cignal, nears elims sweep
"This is exactly what we needed to do – bounce back from our loss to Criss Cross. The good thing about our situation is that we're already in the semifinals, and we still have a chance to get back at Criss Cross," said Cignal head coach Dexter Clamor in Filipino
"Of course, some of our players were really down after that defeat. A lot of negativity crept in, so we had to remind them right away that the league isn't over yet. We still have a shot at redemption," he added.
Louie Ramirez, who was limited to just six points in their previous game, responded with a stellar 16-point performance. He also contributed nine excellent receptions in the one-hour, 14-minute encounter.
Steven Rotter and Vince Abrot, who played only in the first two sets, chipped in nine points each, while JM Ronquillo added seven for the HD Spikers.
Cignal will wrap up its elimination round campaign against the Alpha Insurance Protectors.
Meanwhile, setter Owa Retamar orchestrated the team's offense with 17 excellent sets in the emphatic victory.
The HD Spikers overwhelmed the undermanned Sealions in every department, finishing with 43 attacks, 12 kill blocks, and five service aces. In contrast, Navy managed just 22 attacks and three blocks and failed to score a single service ace.
The Sealions absorbed their seventh straight defeat, dropping to 1-8, in the tournament organized by Sports Vision and supported by Arena Plus and Mikasa
John Ashley Jacob and Peter Quiel, who have taken on bigger roles in the absence of Greg Dolor, Omar Lioc, Marvin Hairami and Joeven Dela Vega, each tallied six points for Navy.