Spikers’ Turf: Cignal, Criss Cross face off for the title anew

A Spikers’ Turf Open Conference game between Criss Cross King Crunchers and Cignal HD Spikers. –SPIKERS TURF PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — For the third straight time, Cignal and Criss Cross clash for the Spikers’ Turf supremacy.

The defending champion Cignal and Criss Cross, the runner-up of the past two tournaments, earned their second straight win in the semifinal round after taking down separate foes on Wednesday at Rizal Memorial Coliseum to clinch a best-of-three finals duel for the 2025 Open Conference title.

The HD Spikers marched to their eighth consecutive finals while the King Crunchers remained unbeaten in 12 games and have yet to miss the championship round since joining the premier men’s volleyball league last year.

READ: Spikers’ Turf: Criss Cross downs Cignal anew for 8-0 slate

Cignal took down Criss Cross in the past two conference finals. But the latter got their rivals’ numbers this tournament, winning their first two meetings convincingly.

Before their championship series opens on Wednesday at Philsports Arena, Cignal and Criss Cross clash in a no-bearing semis game on Sunday at the same venue.

The unbeaten Criss Cross got a shot in the arm with Japan V.League import Marck Espejo returning to action and helping his mother club enter the finals with a  25-20, 25-15, 25-11 rout of VNS-Laticrete.

“I’m excited to face Cignal again because when they went to Japan, we had a practice game [with my Japanese club team]. I’ll continue to follow the system of coach Tai (Bundit). I’ll be a good role player and kuya to my team,” said Espejo in Filipino as he battles his former team, Cignal. 

READ: Spikers’ Turf: Cignal wins Invitational at expense of Criss Cross

After seeing limited action in his return last Sunday, Espejo unleashed 14 points off 10 kills, two blocks, and two aces.

“Coming from Japan, I just kept the momentum going. My main adjustment has been the weather and adapting to coach Tai’s training style, which is different from Japan’s,” said the former league MVP, who arrived just last Saturday. “But with the workload he gives us in training, I was able to adjust quickly.”

Espejo is reunited with his setter Ish Polvorosa, who continued his solid play with 13 excellent sets on top of three points and six digs.

Nico Almendras chipped in 10 points, while reigning MVP Jude Garcia added nine.

“I’m the one adjusting to them because their rotation has been working well in the elimination round. I want to stay in sync with them,” he said.

Meanwhile, Cignal ousted Savouge, 25-19, 25-20, 25-18, as setter Owa Retamar orchestrated the team’s balanced attack with 21 excellent sets. 

Steven Rotter powered the HD Spikers with 13 points. Team captain JP Bugaoan and Wendel Miguel had nine and eight points, respectively.

“Our team played really well. I’m thankful that the game plan we prepared over the past days paid off,” said Cignal coach Dexter Clamor in Filipino.

“Savouge is no easy opponent. In the elimination round, they pushed Criss Cross to a fifth set twice. They also forced us into a fifth set in the second round, so they’re not a team you can take lightly.”

Mark Calado led Savouge with 11 points and 10 excellent receptions. Giles Torres recorded eight points, while Shawie Caritativo chipped in seven points, six excellent digs, and 11 receptions.

Savouge and VNS-Laticrete clash for the bronze medal on Wednesday but they will collide in a no-bearing game first on Sunday.