John Mark Ronquillo (right) of Cignal tries to score against Kennedy Culabat and Rash Nursiddik of VNS Laticrete during the Spikers’ Turf semifinals on March 23, 2025 at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City. The HD Spikers won, 25-13, 25-16, 25-16. (PVL photo)
Cignal and Criss Cross are just one win away from setting up another finals showdown as they take on separate opponents in the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference semifinals on Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
The HD Spikers will battle Savouge at 6 p.m., while the King Crunchers clash with VNS-Laticrete at 3:30 p.m., both aiming to secure their spot in the championship match for the third time.
Cignal will look to veterans Louie Ramirez, Wendel Miguel, Steven Rotter, John Mark Ronquillo, and team captain John Paul Bugaoan to carry the momentum from their dominant 25-13, 25-16, 25-16 sweep of VNS last Sunday.
“We’re coming into this match with high confidence,” said Cignal head coach Dexter Clamor. “I know VNS might be feeling down after their loss to Criss Cross, but we’re focused on maintaining our morale and bringing that energy from the get-go.”
Clamor also emphasized the importance of rest before the crucial semifinal clash. “It’s good that we have time to recover. We’ve had consecutive training sessions and matches, so this break will help us reset and prepare well against Savouge.”
The Spin Doctors, looking to bounce back from their straight-sets loss to Criss Cross, will rely heavily on Mark Calado, Shawie Caritativo, and Madz Gampong to keep their title hopes alive.
Meanwhile, Criss Cross aims to extend its remarkable 12-game winning streak. Reigning MVP Jude Garcia will once again be a key figure alongside Jaron Requinton, Nico Almendras, and Marck Espejo.
“We’re not taking them lightly,” Garcia said of VNS. “They’ve worked hard to make it to the semis, and we expect them to come out fighting. We need to match their intensity and play at our best.”
Leading the charge for VNS are skipper Charles Jordan Segui, Kenneth Culabat, and Rash Nursiddik as they try to pull off an upset and stay in the title hunt.
