Bryan Bagunas proved to be the catalyst as Cignal triumphed over Criss Cross in Game 1 of the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference finals. The HD Spikers clinched a hard-fought victory, edging out the King Crunchers in a tense battle that ended 27-25, 23-25, 25-21, 25-19.
Bagunas, driven by a fierce determination, delivered a standout performance, amassing an impressive 26 points, including 23 powerful attacks, two crucial blocks, and a decisive ace. His on-court prowess was matched only by his defensive finesse, as he contributed 12 excellent receptions throughout the game.
Speaking after the match, Bagunas expressed his eagerness to secure the championship title in his debut season with Cignal. "Siyempre kami naman, lalo na ako bago ako sa team ng Cignal, gusto ko ‘yung unang year ko dito is makapag champion," he shared.
For Cignal, the victory served as a redemptive moment following a heartbreaking defeat to the same opponent in the semifinals. Bagunas emphasized the team's collective resolve to overcome adversity and focus on the task at hand. "And mga teammates ko andoon rin ‘yung eagerness nila mapanalo this game, so sinet aside nalang namin pagkatalo namin last game and nag focus kami this finals," he added.
Looking ahead to Game 2, Bagunas remains optimistic about Cignal's prospects, stressing the importance of maintaining momentum and refining their strategies. The former National University standout emphasized the need for continuous improvement, vowing to address areas of weakness and minimize errors in the upcoming match.
“Siyempre sobrang saya ko sa performance namin kasi kung anong trinaining namin last training lumabas naman, so sana hopefully sa next game namin e mas mataas pa ‘yung kumpiyansa and mas ma-polish pa namin ‘yung pagkukulang namin this game,” he affirmed.
