NU-Sta. Elena scores five-set shocker vs Cignal for Invitational title

National University-Sta. Elena reverse swept Cignal to claim their second Spiker's Turf tilt in the 2023 Invitationals. PHOTO: Spiker's Turf
National University-Sta. Elena dealt Cignal a heartbreak, stopping the seasoned squad from completing another tournament sweep on the biggest stage.
The Nationals scored a massive five-set upset over the HD Spikers, 22-25, 25-22, 21-25, 25-22, 15-8 to gain the crown of the inaugural Spiker's Turf Invitational after two hours and 13 minutes at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan on Friday night, December 15.
"Sobrang memorable ito sa akin kasi sabi ko nga pumunta kami sa Spikers' Turf maganda yung simula namin pero kalagitnaan medyo struggle talaga kami, natamaan kami ng injuries talaga," Dante Alinsunurin said about his team's success.
"Nagmaximize lang talaga kami sa kung anong dapat gawin sa ganitong sitwasyon. Buti nakasurvive kami sa liga na ito, importante rin sa akin na nakuha namin ito kasi ito [yung nagpapatunay] na ang NU volleyball program paangat na nang paangat."
With the hard-earned triumph, the National U got their second Spiker's Turf chip after topping the 2022 Open Conference against Cignal as well.
NU's prized recruit Jade Disquitado, the youngest player on the court, exploded for 34 points built on 31 attacks to lead the Dante Alinsunurin-mentored squad to prevent Cignal from extending their winning streak to 26 games.
The HD Spikers' win streak dates back to their undefeated stint in the 2022 Open Conference with a 15-0 win-loss slate before going 10-0 in the Invitational tilt ahead of the championship match.
However, in a battle of endgame composure in the decisive fifth set in their 11th conference match, it was Alinsunurin's wards that emerged triumphant.
Nico Almedras, who joined the Nationals late in the conference, had a double-double effort of 20 points and 22 excellent receptions, while Leo Aringo Jr. and Obed Mukaba provided 10 and nine, respectively.
Setter Joshua Retamar, who opted to play his fifth and last collegiate year, produced a setting masterclass behind 25 excellent sets laced by four blocks for six points.
Jao Umandal, meanwhile, paced the Dexter Clamor-coached team with 23 points and 25 receptions. JP Bugaoan listed 20 points, while Ysay Marasigan provided 17. Cignal playmaker EJ Casana churned out 23 excellent sets.
This is Cignal's first competition since Marck Espejo left to suit up for Korean Volleyball League powerhouse Incheon Air Jumbos.

How did the Nationals slay the HD Spikers?

Jade Disquitado fired 34 points to pace NU-Sta. Elena in their five-set victory over Cignal. PHOTO: Spiker's Turf
Blocking became NU's main weapon in the decider. Their net defense allowed them to stifle Cignal's offense, posting four of the Nationals' 16 blocks in the fifth frame. The HD Spikers posted nine rejections.
National U cruised to a 6-2 lead in the fifth set behind the back-to-back blocks of Disquitado and Mukaba. The Nationals kept the HD Spikers at bay from there.
Almendras then converted two consecutive kills for a 13-7 NU advantage before Disquitado finished off Cignal with two straight points – first, a powerful spike off a broken play and second and last, a block against Umandal.
Down 2-1 in the set count, the Nationals showed indomitable spirit to extend the one-game finals, surviving long spells of ferocious exchanges and ties in the 10-20 stretch.
Leo Ordiales gave NU a 22-20 cushion before Almendras and Disquitado scored the next two for set point. Bugoan pulled one back on a quick attack, 24-21, but Disquitado said enough as he uncorked his 29th.
Alinsunurin and his company ultimately spoiled Cignal's party, as the latter seemed unbeatable after sweeping its pool in the elimination round and the semifinals, including a shutout of NU last December 6.
Unfortunately, the Nationals came to San Juan differently.
In the two previous conferences in which NU participated, the reigning University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) three-peat champion struggled.
The Nationals missed the final four of the 2023 V-League Collegiate Championship, finishing fifth in the eight-team competition, before a fourth-place finish in the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) Challenge Cup, losing to eventual bronze winner VNS Asereht in the battle for third.
But now, their labor finally bore fruit.

Himzon wins MVP plum

Vince Himzon is the 2023 Spiker's Turf Invitational Most Valuable Player of the Conference. PHOTO: Spiker's Turf
In the awarding ceremony after the NU-Cignal tussle, Vince Himzon of Saints and Lattes – Letran Saints Spikers claimed his Conference Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Best Middle Blocker awards after leading the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) school to fourth place.
Himzon's Saints nearly copped the bronze but fell short to Maruichi Hyogo in a five-setter showdown, 25-20, 16-25, 21-25, 25-22, 11-15.
The 6-foot-1 amassed 61 points in the semifinals on 48 spikes with a round-leading 56.47 percent success rate. He was also second in the block department with 12, averaging a second-best 0.80 per set.
His teammate Bem-Bem Bautista joined Himzon as one of the individual awardees, clinching the Best Outside Hitter citation.
On NU's side, Disquitado was named Finals MVP, Retamar won Best Setter, and Ordiales brought home the Best Opposite Spiker accolade.
Three HD Spikers, on the other hand, also made the final cut, namely: Bugaoan (Best Middle Blocker), Umandal (Best Outside Hitter), and Manuel Sumanguid (Best Libero).

Last Modified: 2024-Jul-19 07.21 +0800