Cignal sweeps Criss Cross for back-to-back Spikers' Turf Open Conference title

Bryan Bagunas and Jau Umandal flaunted their championship poise as Cignal completed a series sweep of Criss Cross with a 25-23, 27-25, 25-21 Game 2 victory to rule the 2024 Spikers' Turf Open Conference on Friday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Bagunas top-scored once again with 22 points anchored on 16 attacks, two blocks, and the title-clinching ace while outside hitter Umandal dropped 18 markers. 

Umandal's stellar outing, though, had a bad ending as he had to be stretchered out of the court after an apparent inadvertent hit following his attack attempt midway through the third set. 

The HD Spikers did not give the King Crunchers any kind of momentum with Bagunas stepping up big time in the endgame, delivering a strong ace to send them to the championship point, 24-20. 

Marck Espejo saved one for Criss Cross with a cross court hammer, but Bagunas answered with his own kill from the back row to finish it off. 

The win allowed Cignal to capture back-to-back Open Conference titles and their seventh overall championship in the Spikers' Turf. 

Espejo paced Criss Cross with 17 points, 11 receptions, and three digs while outside hitter Jude Garcia and veteran middle blocker Kim Malabunga chipped in 13 and 11 markers apiece.

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News