Bryan Bagunas and the Cignal HD Spikers drew first blood in the best-of-three title series, taking down the Criss Cross King Crunchers to inch closer to the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference title.
Reeling from a heart-wrenching loss to Criss Cross last Sunday, Cignal made sure to gain a measure of revenge to take the title opener of the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference Wednesday.
The defending champions inched closer to a repeat after turning back the King Crunchers, 27-25, 23-25, 25-21, 25-19, at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
After splitting the first two frames, both teams engaged in a seesaw battle in the third before Bryan Bagunas and Jau Umandal took over down the stretch to push the HD Spikers ahead in sets, 2-1.
Come the fourth set, former HD Spikers star Marck Espejo started showing signs of fatigue for Criss Cross and Cignal promptly pounced on the opening, sprinting to a 19-12 advantage.
Espejo and Jude Garcia tried to pump life into Criss Cross’ comeback bid, looking to repeat their comeback from semifinals. However, Nastin Gwaza restored order for Cignal after the King Crunchers cut the deficit to just four.
Bagunas, who was coming off a conference-best 38 points in the previous loss to Criss Cross, scintillated anew. This time he delivered 26 points built on 23 attacks, two blocks, and an ace, to go along with 12 receptions.
Umandal supplemented him with 15 markers, while Wendel Miguel and JP Bugaoan pitched in 11 points apiece.
Cian Silang churned out 17 excellent sets, allowing the HD Spikers to edge the King Crunchers in attacks with a 62-53 differential.
On the other hand, Criss Cross heavily relied on Espejo and Garcia, as the former poured a team-high 22 points while the latter lagged a point behind with 21 markers, laced with 13 receptions and six digs.
Game 2 of the Finals will take place on May 10, Friday, at the same venue.