Cignal HD Spikers after winning the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference title.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — After ruling the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference, the Cignal HD Spikers shift their focus to Alas Pilipinas in the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Champions League from May 11 to 18 in Osaka and Kyoto, Japan.
Alas Pilipinas will carry Cignal’s club in the Champions League as part of its preparation for the country’s hosting of the FIVB Men’s World Championship in September.
The preparation of the men’s volleyball team under Italian coach Angiolino Frigoni started a day after Cignal survived Criss Cross in a winner-take-all Game 3 in the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference finals.
READ: Spikers’ Turf: Cignal claims three-peat, dispatches Criss Cross
Most of the Cignal players including Finals MVP Steven Rotter, Owa Retamar, and Louie Ramirez are part of the national pool.
“On behalf of my team, most of them—these three players here—will start practicing right away for the national team,” said Cignal coach Dexter Clamor, who is also part of Frigoni’s coaching staff. “We’re preparing for the AVC in Japan, and Cignal will represent the country at the tournament. But the players aren’t just from Cignal; we’re also selecting national team players.”
Alas is slated in Pool B with Osaka Bluteon of Japan and Shanghai Bright Volleyball Club of China as the top two teams in each group will advance to the crossover quarterfinals,
Setter Retamar is looking forward to playing for the country anew as this could be the gauge of Frigoni in selecting the players for the World Championship.
“It’s an opportunity for experience and exposure for us, especially for Coach Angiolino. He will see the possible lineup for the World Championship,” said Retamar in Filipino.
READ: Alas men driven to be better after finishing 10th in AVC
Game 3 hero Louie Ramirez vows to make the most of their experience, facing Asia’s top clubs.
“It’s about gaining experience. We need to be tougher in international games—getting that real experience,” he said.
Criss Cross star Marck Espejo said he’s also open to helping the Alas Pilipinas if he gets a call-up.
Japan’s Suntory Sunbirds Osaka will play in Pool A with Al-Rayyan Sports Club of Qatar and Aqtobe VC of Kazakhstan.
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Pool C is composed of Iran’s volleyball club, Taichung Bank of Taipei, and Nakhon Ratchasima of Thailand, while Pool D will have Al-Rayyan Sports Club of Qatar, Sports Training Center of Vietnam, and Bahrain’s Club.
