HD Spikers repel Airmen, bag Spikers Turf plum

MANILA, Philippines - Cignal HD TV pulled through in a pulsating second-set duel then thwarted Air Force rally in the third to carve out a 25-17, 32-30, 25-23 victory and snare the Spikers’ Turf Season 1-Reinforced Conference crown at The Arena in San Juan City late Sunday.

The HD Spikers leaned on their prized rookie Edward Ybañez and solid blocking and superb reception to ground the Airmen and complete their come-from-behind victory in their best-of-three series presented by PLDT Home Ultera.

Ybañez, a 25-year-old spiker from University of Southern Philippines Foundation in Cebu, drilled in a match-high 13 hits, including 12 attack points, as the HD Spikers dominated the first set, survived the fiercely-fought second skirmish before outsteadying the Airmen in the third to secure the one-hour, 32-minute victory.

“I was happy we decided to get him on board,” said Michael Carino, referring to the high-leaping, power-spiking Ybañez, who went on to capture the Finals MVP honors.

It was an inspiring triumph for Cignal, which dropped the series’ opener, 15-25, 25-19, 19-25, 19-25, but came back strong with an emphatic 25-16, 25-17, 25-18 to force a sudden death.

Ybañez expressed elation in helping Cignal win the coveted crown after failing to win one back home in the Cebu league.

“We were always second in the CESAFI and I’m happy to have finally nailed one,” said Ybañez, an engineering graduate.