Bryan Bagunas immediately joins Cignal in Spikers Turf

Bryan Bagunas joins Cignal in the Spikers’ Turf Open COnference shortly after his Taiwan stint. –SPIKERS TURF PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Fresh from his second championship in Taiwan, Bryan Bagunas made his debut for his new local club team Cignal in the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference on Wednesday at Ynares Sports Arena.

Three days after a successful title defense for the WinStreak Club in the Top Volleyball League, Bagunas debuted as an HD Spiker and swept his former team Philippine Air Force, 25-10, 25-21, 25-15.

The Philippine men’s volleyball star only played one and a half sets but scored eight points despite lacking practice with Cignal, which signed him last January.

“Siyempre sobrang masaya ako kasi ayun nga, nakapaglaro na naman ako dito sa Pilipinas and natutuwa ako na welcome na welcome ako sa Cignal. Sana tuloy-tuloy ‘tong programa sa Pilipinas para mas matagal yung makapaglaro ako dito,” said Bagunas.

“Kahit noon pa naman naa-amaze ako sa Cignal kasi nakikita naman natin na nandun yung dedication nila na i-maintain yung men’s volleyball kasi talagang one of the stable na clubs sila dito sa Pilipipinas. Sobrang natutuwa ako na nandito ako sa kanila and willing sila tanggapin ako and nandito ako para tulungan sila.”

Bagunas is eager to share his learnings overseas with the HD Spikers, who swept the Open Conference last year but settled for runner-up in the Invitationals after losing the winner-take-all final to his former school, National University.

“Yung team naman ng Cignal alam naman natin na maayos na rin yung programa. Ang dadalhin ko lang is yung experience, ishe-share ko lang yung experience ko kasi five years na rin ako naglalaro sa international so siguro kung ano yung mga natutunan ko, ita-try ko i-share kung pwede. Para lang din mas tumaas yung level natin dito,” said Bagunas, who also played in Japan V.League before taking his act to Taiwan.

Cignal coach Dexter Clamor is thrilled to have Bagunas, who just arrived in Manila on Tuesday.

READ: Cignal gets Bagunas after losing Espejo in Spikers’ Turf

“Sobrang laki ng adjustments namin kasi hindi siya nakapag-training, kakarating lang niya kahapon so we will work on how Bryan can adapt our system kasi syempre iba yung sistema sa Taiwan,” said Clamor. 

JP Bugaoan led the HD Spikers with 16 points including five blocks to keep themselves unbeaten in four games. Jau Umandal chipped in 11 points, while Mark Calado added nine.

But Clamor said that Cignal still has a lot to work on ahead of their marquee duel with powerhouse Criss Cross on April 14 at Philsports Arena.

“Meron pa rin kaming mga lapses na kailangan pa rin i-workout during training para sa susunod na game, ma-polish namin nang maayos,” he added.

Air Force slid to a 1-3 record with Bryan Jaleco and Wesley Cajolo leading the way with eight and seven points, respectively.

D’Navigators win third straight

Meanwhile, Francis Saura poured in 15 points on 10 attacks and five blocks as D’Navigators swept the Maverick Hard Hitters, 25-16, 25-18, 25-17, to stretch their unbeaten run to three games.

Jayvee Sumagaysay and Edward Camposano delivered 11 and 10 points, respectively. JM Apolinario had 11 excellent sets as 10 players registered at least a point.

“Medyo nagpe-peak kami doon sa mga previous practices kasi talagang naghahanda kami. Kailangan lang may continuity ang ensayo namin pa lagi,” said D’Navigators coach Boyet Delmoro.

Maverick remained winless in three games with Kim Tan scoring nine points on top of six excellent receptions.