Cignal HD and Criss Cross will clash for the top spot in the 2024 Spikers' Turf Open Conference in a highly-anticipated showdown on Sunday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Both the HD Spikers and the King Crunchers have perfect 4-0 win-loss records, and the winner of Sunday's showdown will assume the solo lead in the standings.
"Kung excited ang mga fans, kung excited ang volleyball community, mas excited kami," said Cignal head coach Dexter Clamor. "Higit sa lahat mas excited yung management na nagpe-prepare rin for this game."
Cignal HD has been bolstered by the return of national team standout Bryan Bagunas, after his successful stint with Win Streak in the Top Volleyball League in Taiwan. He is expected to lead the HD Spikers' charge along with reigning Open Conference Most Valuable Player Jau Umandal.
Criss Cross has made an immediate splash in just its debut conference, cruising to victories in its first four assignments. Jude Garcia and Rex Intal have shone for the King Crunchers, who welcomed back former five-time UAAP MVP Marck Espejo from South Korea on Saturday.
It remains to be seen if Espejo will see action on Sunday's match. The former Ateneo superstar is also coming off a successful campaign as an import, having won the South Korea V-League with the Incheon Korean Air Jumbos.
First serve is scheduled at 6:00 p.m.
Meanwhile, Savouge Aesthetics mixes it up with Philippine Air Force at 2 p.m. while PGJC-Navy squares off with VNS-Nasty at 4 p.m.
The Sealions (4-1) will once again lean on Joeven Dela Vega and Greg Dolor as they try to stretch their own run to five after an opening game setback against the struggling Wewe Medina-led Griffins (1-3).
Sherwin Caritativo and the Spin Doctors (1-3), on the other hand, look to revive their semifinal hopes in the tournament organized by Sports Vision against Bryan Jaleco and the Airmen (1-4).
