Cignal rallies past Sta. Elena, bolsters bid in Spikers’ Turf

Game today (The Arena, San Juan)

5 p.m. –  Navy vs Air Force

MANILA, Philippines - Cignal TV, Inc. went to Lorenzo Capate Jr. in the last three sets as the HD Spikers pulled off a come-from-behind 23-25, 22-25, 25-16, 25-20, 15-9 victory over the Sta. Elena Wrecking Balls yesterday to bolster their semifinal drive in the Spikers’ Turf Season 1-Reinforced Conference at The Arena in San Juan City.

Given up for loss after dropping the first two sets to the power-hitting Wrecking Balls, the HD Spikers put their act together and stunned their rivals in the next two with their quick sets and combination plays and solid blocking to pull the reversal in a grueling two-hour encounter.

Cignal produced 14 blocks, including four from Herschel Ramos, that more made up for their offensive struggle that saw them yield 13 attack points to the Wrecking Balls, 50-63.

The power-hitting Capate came off the bench to fire a team-best 13 hits, including 12 attack points, as the HD Spikers mightily fought back from 0-2 down to steal the win and move to solo second with 2-1 card behind unbeaten Air Force (2-0).

“We didn’t give up, our second group stepped up,” said Cignal coach Michael Carino.

Edward Ybañez, Alexis Faytaren and Edmar Bonono uncorked 12 hits apiece to help the HD Spikers snatch the dramatic triumph.

Nestor Molate paced Sta. Elena with 19 points while Alnasip Laja scattered 17 hits but the duo wavered in the next three sets, enabling the HD Spikers to launch a vicious counter-attack anchored on Capate.

It was a sorry setback for Sta. Elena, which slid to 1-2.

Meanwhile, Air Force guns for its third straight win as it faces Navy in a duel of unbeaten teams in a lone match today starting at 5 p.m.

The Airmen opened with back-to-back 3-1 victories over Instituto Estetico Manila and Cignal to seize the early lead in the tournament presented by PLDT Home Ultera. But they are in for a tough challenge against the Sailors, who are seeking a follow-up to their 25-21, 21-25, 25-19, 25-18 victory over Sta. Elena Construction last Oct. 10.