FILE–Bryan Bagunas in Taiwan. Photo from Bryan Bagunas’ Instagram
MANILA, Philippines — Bryan Bagunas is set to bolster the Cignal HD Spikers in the upcoming 2024 Spikers’ Turf season starting in March.
The HD Spikers on Tuesday announced that they have picked up their biggest signing in Taiwan import Bagunas after the departure of Marck Espejo and three other key players.
It is still up in the air when will the Philippine men’s volleyball team star join his newest team as he is currently in Taiwan for Win Streak’s title-retention bid in the Top Volleyball League.
The former UAAP MVP out of National University is raring to play again in the Spikers’ Turf as he last played in the country’s men’s club league in 2019 as part of Air Force, which used to be the rival of Cignal in the pre-pandemic era.
“Excited ako to begin this new chapter of my career with the Cignal HD Spikers. Alam naman natin isa na sila sa pinakakilala at pinakarespetadong teams sa men’s volleyball dito sa Pilipinas, kaya umaasa akong makakatulong ako sa kanilang mahabang listahan ng mga tagumpay,” said the two-time UAAP champion.
JUST IN: Cignal picks up Philippine men’s volleyball star and Taiwan’s WinStreak import Bryan Bagunas ahead of the 2024 Spikers’ Turf season.
📸 by @cignalHDspiker @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/xXCkiuA5Ks
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) January 30, 2024
Bagunas will be a big boost to the HD Spikers, who failed to sweep the tournament last year after losing to Sta. Elena-National University in the Invitational Conference final, as the star outside spiker emerged as the the MVP and top scorer in Win Streak’s title-run last TVL season.
The 2019 Southeast Asian Games silver medalist signed with Imus AJAA Spikers last Open Conference but he didn’t make it due to his season in Taiwan.
Cignal made a recruitment coup after losing Espejo, Ysay Marasigan, Chumason Njigha, and Manuel Sumanguid, who will be part of Rebisco, as it added Madz Gampong, libero Vince Lorenzo, middle blockers Ron Rosales, Nas Gwaza and Giles Torres, and setter Kris Silang.
With Bagunas joining the team, the HD Spikers remained one of the strongest contenders on paper after resigning Invitational Conference Best Middle Blocker JP Bugaoan, Best Outside Spikers Jau Umandal and Wendel Miguel, setter EJ Casaña, Lloyd Josafat, Alfred Valbuena, and Vince Abrot.
“This 2024, we’re coming back with a renewed squad, may gustong patunayan, at siyempre andun pa rin yung gutom. Grateful kami kay Bryan that he signed with us, and also all our new bloods who will bring in their effort, energy, and lessons to the team. Hopefully, we can reach our goals in each tournament because for sure we will fight for every point with every game we play,” said Cignal Dexter Clamor.