Cignal denies Criss Cross yet again for 9th Spikers Turf title

April 7 ------ IN the face of a rare acid test, Cignal proved why it still is the yardstick in Philippine men's volleyball. The HD Spikers dashed Criss Cross' hopes of a maiden title with a convincing 25-22, 25-16, 28-26 win in Game Three of the 2025 Spikers' Turf Open Conference finals. 

In doing so, Cignal extended its reign as the league's winningest team with nine championships and the first to pull off a hat-trick of titles. Finals MVP Steven Rotter and Louie Ramirez dealt the title-clinching blows in an extended third set to erase multiple King Crunchers set points with 15 points apiece. 

Captain JP Bugaoan and Lloyd Josafat also delivered in the endgame with twin eight-point performances. As was the case in the last two conferences, a silver medal finish for Criss Cross would be capped by another MVP nod for Jude Garcia, making it his third win in as many campaigns. Garcia posted 12 markers in their rubber-match loss ahead of Jaron Requinton's nine points and six from the returning Marck Espejo and Chu Njigha. 

The 26-year-old winger was also named as the conference's best opposite spiker along with fellow HD Spikers Vince Lorenzo as best libero and Bugaoan as the best middle blocker. Criss Cross' Gian Glorioso was hailed among the top blockers, with Ish Polvorosa feted as the best setter. Back-to-back bronze medalist Savouge swept the top outside spiker awards won by ex-Cignal ace Mark Calado and Shawie Caritativo. 

Source: spin.ph