The Cignal HD Spikers have etched their names in the history of Philippine volleyball as they swept the Cotabato Spikers in the Finals series to complete a flawless 15-0 record and capture the Spikers' Turf Open Conference crown.
Led by Finals MVP Marck Espejo, Cignal overcame a grueling five-set battle against Cotabato, with a final score of 25-21, 22-25, 25-17, 28-30, 15-7, in a thrilling showdown held on March 31, at the iconic Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Reflecting on their remarkable achievement, team coach Dexter Clamor emphasized the hard work and dedication that went into their perfect season.
"Yung 15-0 na 'yan, hindi siya madali. Pinaghirapan talaga namin 'yan. One at a time, every game ay pinaghahandaan namin. Natapos yung conference na nagulat na lang kami na 15-0 na. Nag-champion tayo and we made history," Clamor said.
The road to perfection was not without challenges, as Clamor highlighted the sacrifices and patience the team had to endure off the court.
Despite occasional frustrations and disagreements among players, Clamor emphasized that healthy competition, discussions, and arguments were essential in keeping the team united and focused on their goal.
"Kasi sabi ko nga kanina, one at a time, every game ang importante kahit mahina o malakas 'yung kalaban kailangang paghandaan. At some point nagiging complacent kami, pag dumadating yung time na nare-relax, nire-remind ko lang sila na 'we were defeated last conference, so kung ibabalik natin yung ganong mindset baka matalo tayo'," he shared.
For the team's veteran players, such as Peter Torres, the victory was particularly sweet as it came after a disappointing defeat in the previous season.
"Masaya kami kasi coming from last season na natalo kami, ang focus lang talaga namin ay manalo kami, hindi kami actually focus do'n sa 15-0," Torres shared.
One of the keys to Cignal's success was their ability to manage complacency and stay focused in every game, as mentioned by Dexter Clamor.
With their dominant performance throughout the tournament, it would have been easy for the team to become complacent, but they remained vigilant and motivated in each match, knowing that any lapse could result in defeat.
Wendel Miguel, one of the team's key players, acknowledged that maintaining the number one position was challenging as other teams were always eager to topple the reigning champions.
"Kami lagi 'yung number 1, so, ang hirap i-maintain. Every training sasabihin mo lagi sa sarili mo na 'hindi ka pwedeng mag-relax' kasi ikaw 'yung tinitingnan [at] ikaw 'yung gustong talunin ng bawat teams." Miguel said.
When asked about the most challenging part of their journey, Torres pointed to the team's experience as a significant advantage.
The core members of the team have been playing together for a long time, and their chemistry and camaraderie on the court were evident in their seamless coordination and teamwork.
"For me, our experience as a team was our biggest advantage against other teams. We have been playing together for a long time, and once that chemistry was established, it was hard to beat us," Torres explained.
Looking ahead, Cignal HD Spikers are determined to continue their winning ways and maintain their dominance in Philippine volleyball. With their impressive 15-0 record and a Spikers' Turf Open Conference crown in their trophy cabinet, the team has set the bar high for themselves and will undoubtedly be a force to be reckoned with in future tournaments.
To know more about the HD Spiker's journey to the Turf's crown, watch the exclusive interview at Matchpoint Exclusive:
