For the first time in years, the absence of the league’s winningest club, Cignal Super Spikers, has dramatically reshaped the competitive landscape. While reigning 2025 Invitationals champion Criss Cross enters as the early favorite behind an intact, powerhouse roster composed of many of the country’s top players, the gap between contenders has significantly narrowed.
The King Crunchers may parade star power and chemistry, but the rest of the six-team field comes armed with retooled lineups, renewed confidence and a shared belief that this conference is truly up for grabs.
The offseason saw major player movement across the league, with several teams reinforcing their rosters by tapping standouts from the Super Spikers pool.
Savouge, eager to bounce back after missing the podium last conference, made perhaps the boldest moves, acquiring former Cignal stars Louie Ramirez and JP Bugaoan, along with ex-PGJC-Navy mainstay Joeven Dela Vega. The revamp signals a franchise intent on re-entering title contention.
Alpha Insurance likewise strengthened its rotation, adding Jau Umandal and JM Ronquillo to an already formidable core, while VNS continues to blend promising young talent with steady veteran leadership in its developmental push.
League president Alyssa Valdez underscored the excitement brought about by the offseason shakeup.
“I’m very, very happy for the Spikers’ Turf teams kasi nung offseason ang daming player movements. Napaka-exciting for players to find a new home. This Open Conference, very exciting kasi level ‘yung playing field in terms of lineup. Laban na laban talaga lahat ng teams,” said Valdez.
Indeed, while Criss Cross boasts continuity and star power, the overall competitive balance may be the defining storyline of the tournament. Every squad now carries both the firepower and the hunger to mount a serious run.
During the league’s press conference at Dickey’s Barbecue Pit in Parqal, Parañaque, tournament director Mozzy Ravena said under the double round-robin elimination round, the top four will advance to a single round-robin semifinal phase.
The top two teams after the semis will dispute the championship in a best-of-three Finals, while the third- and fourth-ranked squads will battle for bronze.
For Ravena, the sustained growth of the league amid challenges reflects the resilience of men’s volleyball in the country and mirrors the vision long championed by Sports Vision, which also powers the Premier Volleyball League.
“The Spikers’ Turf still being here is a testament sa tibay ng men’s volleyball sa Pilipinas,” said Ravena. “Madali naman sana mawala, pero hinihingi talaga ng mga tao. Mafifeel mo na excited ang fans, lalo na may mga bago tayong teams.”
Adding further intrigue are returning squads Cabstars and 3B, both eager to make their mark once more in the country’s pioneering men’s league.
Cabstars will lean on EJ Casaña, Vince Abrot, Nas Gwaza and Jayrack Dela Noche, while 3B banks on captain Bonjomar Castel and Carl Berdal to lead its charge.
With six teams stacked with talent, strengthened by offseason moves, and fueled by equal parts ambition and opportunity, the 2026 Open Conference shapes up as a tournament where reputation offers no guarantees.
