{"id":4020,"date":"2025-10-26T06:20:53","date_gmt":"2025-10-26T06:20:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pinoystep.com\/?p=4020"},"modified":"2025-10-26T06:20:53","modified_gmt":"2025-10-26T06:20:53","slug":"spikers-turf-returns-as-cignal-takes-first-step-on-title-defense","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pinoystep.com\/index.php\/2025\/10\/26\/spikers-turf-returns-as-cignal-takes-first-step-on-title-defense\/","title":{"rendered":"Spiker’s Turf returns as Cignal takes first step on title defense"},"content":{"rendered":"

Men\u2019s volleyball takes center stage once again as the Spikers\u2019 Turf Invitational Conference serves off today (Monday), promising high-octane action and intense rallies in a three-game opening day at the <\/span>Filoil<\/span> EcoOil<\/span> Centre in San Juan.<\/span><\/p>\n

Defending champion <\/span>Cignal<\/span>, now rebranded as the Super Spikers, begins its title-retention campaign against a young but talented VNS squad at 4 p.m., following the 2 p.m. opener between <\/span>Savouge<\/span> and Alpha Insurance.<\/span><\/p>\n

Capping the opening triple-header, Criss Cross battles PGJC-Navy at 6 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n

Armed with a powerhouse roster led by <\/span>Jau<\/span> Umandal<\/span>, Wendel Miguel, Louie Ramirez and JP <\/span>Bugaoan<\/span>, <\/span>Cignal<\/span> is determined to live up to its new moniker while chasing a fourth straight Spikers\u2019 Turf crown.<\/span><\/p>\n

New additions Jay Rack Dela <\/span>Noche<\/span>, Vince <\/span>Maglinao<\/span> and Filipino-American Jared <\/span>Schnake<\/span> are also expected to bolster the team\u2019s depth and firepower.<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite the depth of his lineup, head coach Dexter Clamor remains cautiously optimistic about their title chances.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLahat <\/span>ngayon<\/span>, even the university teams, <\/span>tumaas<\/span> \u2018<\/span>yung<\/span> level. I guess lahat <\/span>magkocompete<\/span> nang<\/span> maigi<\/span> for this Invitational Conference<\/span>\u2014even the guest teams. Hindi ko <\/span>masabi<\/span> kung <\/span>sino<\/span> talaga<\/span>,\u201d said Clamor, whose squad has ruled the past three editions of the league organized by Sports Vision.<\/span><\/p>\n

VNS, bannered by Axel Van Book, <\/span>Bembem<\/span> Bautista and JD <\/span>Diwa<\/span>, is expected to challenge <\/span>Cignal\u2019s<\/span> dominance and make an early statement.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the opening duel, <\/span>Savouge<\/span> \u2013 last conference\u2019s bronze medalists \u2013 will continue to rely on <\/span>Shawie<\/span> Caritativo<\/span>, Hero Austria and Mark <\/span>Calado<\/span>. Their rivals, Alpha Insurance Protectors, on its sophomore campaign in the country\u2019s pioneering men\u2019s volleyball league, will be led by JJ <\/span>Javelona<\/span>, Barbie San Andres and Edward <\/span>Camposano<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The nightcap features a much-anticipated clash between Criss Cross King Cross and PGJC-Navy, both eager to reclaim their place among the league\u2019s elite.<\/span><\/p>\n

Marck<\/span> Espejo teams up once again with three-time MVP Jude Garcia for Criss Cross, looking to start strong and regain its championship form.<\/span><\/p>\n

On the opposite side, the Sealions enter the tournament at full strength after struggling with injuries and absences in the previous Open Conference. Greg Dolor and <\/span>Joeven<\/span> dela Vega are expected to lead Navy\u2019s charge back to the podium.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Men\u2019s volleyball takes center stage once again as the Spikers\u2019 Turf Invitational Conference serves off today (Monday), promising high-octane action and intense rallies in a three-game opening day at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan. Defending champion Cignal, now rebranded as the Super Spikers, begins its title-retention campaign against a young but talented VNS…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4021,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[72],"class_list":["post-4020","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-spikers-turf"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t