Cignal HD's Bryan Bagunas attacks against a triple block from Criss Cross in the semifinals of the 2024 Spikers Turf Open Conference, May 5, 2024 at the Rizal Memorial Sports Coliseum. PVL Media

MANILA -- The budding rivalry between Cignal HD and Criss Cross adds another chapter as they face off in the finals of the Spikers' Turf Open Conference.

The best-of-3 series starts on Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum, with first serve scheduled at 6:00 p.m.

The HD Spikers won the first-ever meeting between the two clubs, scoring a come-from-behind five-set win in the elimination round. But the King Crunchers returned the favor in the semifinals, where they erased a two-set deficit to secure a Finals berth.

READ: Cignal beats D’Navigators, nears finals berth

READ: Criss Cross claims Spikers Turf finals slot after comeback vs. Cignal HD

"We are facing the championship series with a fresh mindset. Back to square one kami with all the learnings we got from our previous loss against them in the semifinals," Cignal coach Dexter Clamor said.

"We will make sure to play our hearts out sa finals. May mga game adjustments din kami na gagawin kaya talagang pinaghahandaan namin lahat," he added.

The series will feature a showdown between national team standouts Bryan Bagunas of Cignal HD and Marck Espejo of Criss Cross, with the pair having battled each other since their collegiate days in the UAAP.

Espejo, who earned Player of the Week honors after leading Criss Cross to the Finals, stressed the need to minimize their errors in the championship round.

"Actually, nung itong game na 'to marami pa rin kaming errors. Siguro kailangan naming bawasan yung errors namin and dagdagan pa yung mga nagawa naming tama ngayon," he said.

Meanwhile, it will be PGJC-Navy against the D'Navigators in the battle for bronze. First serve is at 4:00 p.m.

Greg Dolor and Joeven Dela Vega will once again spearhead the Sealions' charge against the lethal 1-2 combination of Francis Saura and Edward Camposano of the D'Navigators.