Cignal was touted as one of the favorites to win the 2023 Spikers' Turf Invitational Conference crown heading into the tournament.
The HD Spikers claimed the Open Conference championship earlier in March with Finals MVP Marck Espejo leading the way.
However, Espejo signed with Incheon Jumbos of the Korean V-League before the season-ending tournament of the men's premier league organized by Sports Vision Management Group Inc.
Cignal found a remedy right away as they inked reigning MVP Jau Umandal as well as heavy hitters Mark Calado, Vince Abrot, and Lloyd Josafat.
Making the group even tighter together - and more experienced - was their training camps in France and Italy just before the Invitationals.
For head coach Dexter Clamor, the learnings they brought from Europe will play a huge role when the competition gets tougher later in the conference.
"Europe training camp sobrang it's a boost for every one of us. Not only for the players but also for us coaches," said Clamor on Friday after beating Saints and Lattes-Letran.
"We were able to play against the best of the best club teams in France and Italy so malaking bagay yun sa amin na pwede namin baunin dito sa Spikers' Turf."
Cignal, which leads Pool B along with Davies Paint-Adamson with 2-0 cards, spent 12 days in Europe - seven in France and five in Italy.
During that span, the six-time Spikers' Turf champions had six tuneup games including matches against Paris Volley, Tuscania Volley, ASD Poolstars Volley, and Luiss MVT.
With the league having a record-matching 24 teams, the HD Spikers expect heavy competition but have an edge on their side which was their Europe trip in preparation for this tournament backed by Bola.TV, Beyond Active Wear, ASICS and Mikasa.
"Sana hanggang sa dulo magamit namin yung mga natutunan namin doon sa Europe," said Clamor.
