MANILA, Philippines - Cignal TV, Inc. shut down PLDT Home Ultera’s vaunted attacking line and hammered out a shock 25-21, 25-21, 25-19 victory last night to seize a share of the lead with Air Force and Navy in the Spikers’ Turf Season 1-Reinforced Conference at The Arena in San Juan City.
Power-hitting Lorenzo Capate Jr. led all hitters with 15 hits including 14 on spikes while Edward Ybanez and Edmar Bonono unloaded 10 apiece to help seal the HD Spikers’ upset triumph.
The key was slowing down the Ultra Fast Spikers’ attacking game as only Mark Gil Alfafara finished in double digits with 13.
“It was our defense,” said Cignal coach Michael Carino.
It was giant-size victory for Cignal as it pulled the rug from under PLDT, which came into the conference as the heavy favorite, having topped the inaugural Open Conference last May.
Air Force and Navy zoomed to the lead with 25-19, 25-27, 25-22, 25-20 and 25-21, 21-25, 25-19, 25-18 wins over Instituto Estetico Manila and Sta. Elena, respectively, the day before.