Three-point thrillers defined the first two games of the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference Finals, with Cignal and Criss Cross trading blows to split the series. But when it mattered most, experience and composure rose above firepower and promise.
Cignal swept a shell-shocked Criss Cross side, 25-22, 25-16, 28-26, in a decisive Game 3, keeping its throne with authority and securing its ninth Spikers’ Turf title – a testament to the franchise’s dynastic reign.
And the HD Spikers’ near-improbable Set 3 comeback perfectly captured the HD Spikers’ championship DNA – while exposing the vulnerabilities in the King Crunchers’ once-imposing armor.
Backed by a core that has weathered countless championship wars, Cignal leaned on the big-game savvy of Louie Ramirez, Steven Rotter, Lloyd Josafat, JP Bugaoan and later on Jau Umandal, outclassing a Criss Cross squad that once again failed to deliver when the pressure peaked.
Despite bolstering their roster with heavy hitters like Jude Garcia, Marck Espejo, and Jaron Requinton, the King Crunchers faltered at the net and mentally unraveled down the stretch. Cignal’s 13 kill blocks and impenetrable defense neutralized Criss Cross’ vaunted frontline and left them playing catch-up in the first two sets.
Game 2 had seemed like a turning point for Criss Cross, which clawed back from a late deficit in the fifth set to level the series and briefly seized momentum. But their Game 3 performance told a different story – tentative, inconsistent, and ultimately overwhelmed in the first two sets.
That 2-0 set lead marked the first time Cignal had been ahead of Criss Cross in any of their six meetings this conference, putting the HD Spikers just a set away from extending their dominance over the King Crunchers.
But the King Crunchers seemed poised to extend the match after controlling most of Set 3, but when the pressure mounted down the stretch, cracks began to show in the team that had swept 13 straight matches en route to the finals.
With the title on the line, Cignal’s pedigree shone, while Criss Cross once again buckled under the weight of expectations, losing its third straight Finals series to the HD Spikers.
Coach Dexter Clamor deserved credit for keeping his squad mentally locked in. After a bitter Game 2 defeat and being down by three in the third set of the sudden death, he inspired a ruthless response in the clutch, driving home a reminder of why Cignal remains the league’s gold standard.
It was a masterclass from Clamor, who kept his team locked in with sharp, strategic guidance, exploiting even the smallest cracks in the opposition’s game.
In contrast, King Crunchers coach Tai Bundit struggled to find the right answers. Despite experimenting with combinations and calling timely timeouts in an effort to disrupt Cignal’s rhythm, his squad fell short when it mattered most.
Down 20–23, Clamor turned to Umandal – who, true to his form, answered the call with poise and intensity. Coming off the bench fresh and fiery, he immediately delivered with an off-the-block hit and a kill, then followed up with a defensive stop, denying Chumason Njigha’s quick attack.
In a flash, the score was tied at 23. In moments as tight and intense as this, only a team with a champion’s heart and nerves of steel could pull through.
Cignal did. But not without drama – surviving three set points and showcasing the resilience that defines their character.
Then came Rotter. Known for his thunderous attacks and powerful serves, he made his mark in an unexpected way – on defense – thwarting Espejo’s kill attempt to push the HD Spikers to match point.
After a tense rally, Rotter finally unleashed his trademark backrow attack, fed perfectly by Owa Retamar. The ball ricocheted off libero Manuel Sumanguid’s arms and flew out of bounds.
Espejo, in a desperate attempt to save the point, chased the ball but crashed into the railings. The sequence sealed the win and sparked a euphoric celebration for the HD Spikers, who claimed their ninth championship in just one hour and 33 minutes.
As white confetti rained down, the underdog HD Spikers basked in what could be considered their sweetest victory yet – achieved against the powerhouse Criss Cross squad.
One man stood tall in this milestone triumph: Ramirez, who matched Rotter’s 15-point output to once again earn Best Player of the Game honors.
For Ramirez, a standout from Perpetual Help, the performance was personal – a redemption after struggling for most of the conference.
"My mindset was to make it up to my teammates. I didn’t perform well all season, so I told myself that if I got a chance in the finals, I’d give everything I had," said Ramirez in Filipino, who also bagged top honors in last year’s title run.
He also praised his teammates for their grit and dedication.
"I’m really proud of my teammates. We trained so hard – we really, really wanted to win," he added.
Wendel Miguel and Lloyd Josafat contributed eight points each, while JP Bugaoan and Umandal chipped in seven and five points, respectively.
Cignal outhit Criss Cross, 45–37, and outblocked them, 13–9, while also scoring three service aces compared to none from the King Crunchers.
Cignal’s rock-solid net defense also stifled Criss Cross’ key scorers. Garcia was limited to 12 points, Requinton added nine, and both Espejo and Njigha were held to six points apiece.
As the final point landed, Cignal’s frontcourt erupted in celebration, joined by fans who had been silenced just one game earlier.
In contrast, Criss Cross walked off the court with heads held high, but their morale bruised and their ego deflated by yet another meltdown on the grand stage.
