Cignal HD's Bryan Bagunas celebrates a point against Criss Cross in the Spikers' Turf Open Conference 2024 on April 14, 2024 at the PhilSports Arena. PVL Media

MANILA -- Defending champion Cignal and newcomer Criss Cross ignited a new rivalry in men's club volleyball following a thrilling encounter in the 2024 Spikers' Turf Open Conference before a record crowd Sunday evening at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

Two of the country's top spikers went face-to-face in a showdown like no other with Bryan Bagunas spearheading the HD Spikers' charge against the Marck Espejo-led King Crunchers.

When the dust settled, Cignal emerged victorious thanks to the firepower of the newest face of the franchise.

Bagunas, who soldiered on despite suffering from cramps midway through the match, fired a game-high 27 points to power the HD Spikers to a 20-25, 25-15, 23-25, 25-23, 15-12, come-from-behind win and in the process spoiled Espejo's debut.

READ: Bagunas, Cignal HD spoil Espejo's Criss Cross debut

The 6-foot-5 winger collected 26 kills and an ace in an impressive showing that got him the unanimous nod to bag the Spikers' Turf Player of the Week honors for the period of April 10 to 14.   

"Nag-cramps ako, both legs. Buti na lang nakahabol ulit. Syempre ako, bilang bago sa team, gusto ko naman talagang makatulong sa team," said Bagunas, who is fresh from leading Win Streak to back-to-back titles in the Top Volleyball League in Taiwan.

"Nangibabaw yung mentality ko na makatulong sa team."

Bagunas' production, leadership, and unquestionable heart in the acid test kept Cignal unbeaten in five games. He eclipsed the other commendable performances shown by Criss Cross open spiker and one-time PoW Jude Garcia and PGJC-Navy's Joeven Dela Vega.

He, however, downplayed scoring another huge victory over long-time on-court rival Espejo.

For Bagunas, the rivalry is a welcome development to further the growth of men's volleyball in the country as they seek to continue what they started together when the men's national team earned a historic silver medal in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games held in Manila.

Cignal HD's Bryan Bagunas in action against Criss Cross in the Spikers' Turf Open Conference 2024 on April 14, 2024 at the PhilSports Arena. PVL Media

"Hindi naman kami nagpapataasan. Basta ang goal lang namin, kasi parati rin kaming nag-uusap kasi kaming dalawa yung men's (player)na naglalaro internationally, ang goal din talaga namin is ipakita lang namin kung anong meron yung men's volleyball para ma-excite yung mga tao," said Bagunas, who also played in Japan's V.League before taking his act to Taiwan.

"Mas naging exciting yung magkaiba kami ng team… Pero yun nga, tama yung sinabi ni Jau (Umandal) na hindi lang dapat kami ni [Marck] yung inaabangan, dapat lahat ng men's tournament dito or lahat ng players sinusuportahan. Sana magkaisa at suportahan yung bawat player," he added.

Inching closer to a semifinal berth, Cignal guns for a sweep in its remaining three matches starting Wednesday against D' Navigators at Ynares Sports Arena before facing VNS-Nasty on April 24 and Maverick on April 26 to wrap up its elimination round campaign.

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