MANILA, Philippines — The Cignal HD Spikers could have fielded a model new look forward of the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Open Convention however that didn’t cease them from extending their reign because the kings of males’s volleyball.
Dealing with the core of its final yr’s title run together with star Marck Espejo, the new-look Cignal nonetheless accomplished a golden repeat behind star Bryan Bagunas and swept Criss Cross, 25-23, 27-25, 25-21, within the Open Convention Finals on Friday at Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Bagunas, who gained his second straight championship in Taiwan final yr, lastly captured his first Spikers’ Turf title in six years, delivering the HD Spikers’ seventh crown proper in his first stint.
“We’re so grateful to have Bryan Bagunas. He shared his worldwide expertise,” stated Cignal coach Dexter Clamor in Filipino. “Not simply Bryan, everybody contributed. It’s actually the collective effort, collective sacrifices, and collective concepts to get this championship.”
READ: Bryan Bagunas powers Cignal nearer to Spikers’ Turf title
Tied at 17-all within the third set, the HD Spikers misplaced Jau Umandal after his head by accident hit Jude Garcia’s elbow off his again row try, and was stretchered off the court docket.
Bagunas informed Umandal to remain aware, promising they might declare the Spikers’ Turf title.
Staying true to his phrases, the Philippine males’s volleyball star delivered the clutch kills together with the match-clinching backrow assault to seal Cignal’s profitable title protection.
Bagunas emerged because the Finals MVP with 22 factors constructed on 15 kills, 5 aces, and two blocks on prime of eight glorious receptions.
“I’m grateful to our new champion gamers in Cignal. Everybody contributed, confirmed their want to win and grow to be a champion,” stated Clamor after profitable his fourth title.
“I feel it’s in regards to the system. Credit score to my teaching employees and our senior gamers for guiding our newcomers and instilling our profitable tradition.”
READ: Spikers’ Turf: Criss Cross turns to Espejo in finals-clinching win
Umandal, in the meantime, delivered 18 factors, whereas JP Bugaoan added 11 factors.
Former Cignal star Espejo powered Criss Cross with 17 factors and 11 receptions. Jude Garcia had 13 factors, whereas Kim Malabunga added 11.
Cignal opened its marketing campaign with 10 straight wins together with its first two matches within the semifinals earlier than Criss Cross snapped the previous’s run with a five-set win to forge a title duel.
Cignal celebrates its golden repeat. #SpikersTurf | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/6pjdcveq5R
— INQUIRER Sports activities (@INQUIRERSports) Might 10, 2024
The HD Spikers banked on Bagunas and Umandal to bounce again and draw first blood with a vengeful 27-25, 23-25, 25-21, 25-19 win on Wednesday.
In the meantime, PGJC-Navy couldn’t full a sequence sweep after falling to D’Navigators in Recreation 2, 25-23, 25-20, 15-25, 25-23, however nonetheless captured the bronze because of superior factors ratio.
The Sealions gained the primary sport in 4 units earlier than D’Navigators tied the sequence. However with Cignal finishing a Finals sequence sweep of Criss Cross, the bronze sequence needed to be determined by means of the FIVB system of classification to interrupt a tie within the Ultimate 4.
Navy had the upper factors of 1.050 towards the D’Navigators’ 0.953.
Arvin Estomata got here out together with his finest sport of the match 20 factors constructed on 17 assaults, two aces, and a block. Edward Camposano had 16 factors and 14 glorious receptions. Kim Dayandante had 19 glorious units, as Jayvee Sumagaysay and Toto De Pedro added eight factors apiece.
Joeven Dela Vega unleashed 28 factors within the loss however nonetheless ended up with a bronze medal.