Bryan Bagunas and the Cignal HD Spikers successfully defended their title after toppling the Criss Cross King Crunchers in the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference Finals.
Cignal made a successful title defense after ruling over the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference on Friday night.
The HD Spikers reasserted their mastery over the Criss Cross King Crunchers with a resounding sweep, 25-23, 27-25, 25-21, in Game Two of the Finals at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum Friday night.
This is Cignal’s seventh league title, and the decorated club team’s fourth Open Conference championship.
With the HD Spikers holding a 2-0 set lead and the King Crunchers facing the brink of defeat, a seesaw battle ensued in the third frame.
As the match swung to a stalemate at 17, Jau Umandal suffered an accidental elbow to the head and was stretchered off the court. Cignal showcased composure despite the setback, breaking free for a 23-20 lead.
Bryan Bagunas then nailed a clutch ace to anchor the HD Spikers at match point. Though Marck Espejo gave the King Crunchers a lease on life with a crosscourt hit, Bagunas sealed the championship with a hit of his own.
Bagunas blazed the golden trail with a game-high 22 points on 15 attacks, five aces, and two blocks, to go along with eight excellent receptions. This is his first title in the local volleyball scene since the UAAP Season 81 with National University back in 2019.
Umandal finished with 18 points, all but two coming from attacks, while JP Bugaoan chipped in 11 markers on eight spikes and three denials.
Cian Silang churned out the offense with 15 excellent sets, while Vince Lorenzo collected 11 receptions.
On the other hand, the King Crunchers ended their maiden campaign in second place.
Espejo poured a double-double of 17 points and 11 receptions that went for naught, while Conference MVP Jude Garcia and Kim Malabunga had 13 and 11 points, respectively.
With the title conquest of Cignal, PGJC-Navy took home the bronze medal due to superior points ratio over the D'Navigators.