Cignal recruit Bryan Bagunas bares selfless reason for Philippine return

After five years, high-scoring spiker Bryan Bagunas is coming home to the Philippines.

The Cignal HD Spikers announced last month that they have signed up the Most Valuable Player of Taiwanese squad's Win Streak as part of their major revamp.

[RELATED STORY: Bryan Bagunas set for Philippine homecoming with Cignal HD Spikers]  

It's easy to see why any team would be so eager to get him.

But after his stints in Japan’s V.League for the Oita Miyoshi Weisse Adler and in Taiwan's Top Volleyball League, why would he decide to come back now?

The reason for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games volleyball silver medalist is simple. And honestly, it's heartwarming.

"Ang goal ko naman talaga para sa Philippine volleyball, syempre, is umangat every year," he told Mela Tunay in Pilipinas Live's Starting Lineup.

"Palagi namin pinapangarap, kaming Philippine national team, ‘yung long term na league para sa men’s volleyball dyan sa Pilipinas. Sobrang natutuwa ako kasi makakabalik ako sa Pilipinas then makakalaro ako sa Cignal."

The improvement of the Philippine national team has always been on his mind ever since.

[RELATED STORY: Bryan Bagunas bats for national team continuity, more exposure after Asian Games exit]

He will be reuniting with familiar faces such as Peter Torres, Madz Gampong, Lloyd Josafat, and Jao Umandal.

Bagunas is expected to bring in the lessons he learned from Japan and Taiwan.

But for the high-flying, high-scoring spiker, the Japanese system is already getting absorbed at the collegiate level.

"Masasabi ko medyo na-adapt na nila 'yung Japanese style. Kasi 'yung coaches sa Pilipinas, lalo 'yung galing sa universities, dinadala 'yung players sa Japan para sa training camp. Ina-adapt hanggang sa umikot sa Pilipinas," he observed.

"Taiwan, same like with the Philippines na rin siya, more on combination play," he noted.

But despite being a high profile player, Bagunas remains humble as he will soon don Cignal's red jersey.

"Sila 'yung mas maraming experience sa championship. Halos yearly sila lumalaban, so 'di lang sila matututo sa akin. Ako, matututo rin sa kanila."