Defending champions Cignal HD Spikers and the red-hot Criss Cross King Crunchers are out to extend their three-game winning streaks as they take on dangerous opponents in today’s 2025 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference triple-header at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Cignal Faces Resilient PGJC-Navy

The HD Spikers (3-0) meet the PGJC-Navy Sealions (1-2) in the 1 p.m. opener, with Cignal head coach Dexter Clamor looking to keep his squad sharp as they push for a semifinal berth.

In their last match, Clamor rested star setter Owa Retamar and adjusted Wendel Miguel to a libero role to manage workloads, but he knows they cannot afford the same strategy against a Navy team that gave Criss Cross a tough battle last Wednesday.

“They played well against Criss Cross. So we won’t treat this as just another regular game. This is one of the crucial matches because we need at least six to seven wins to secure a spot in the semifinals,” Clamor said.

Cignal will continue to rely on Jau Umandal and Steven Rotter, while getting a boost from Louie Ramirez, who returns after missing two games due to a shoulder injury.

For Navy, the focus will be on Greg Dolor, who exploded for a tournament-best 32 points in their last game. However, they are still missing Joeven Dela Vega, making Dolor’s offensive output even more crucial.

Criss Cross Aims to Stay Unbeaten Against Undermanned Savouge

At 6 p.m., the King Crunchers (3-0) will go for their fourth straight victory against a Savouge Spin Doctors (2-1) team dealing with injury concerns.

Despite dropping a set to Navy in their last match, Criss Cross remains a title favorite. Nico Almendras, who missed the team’s first game, has since returned and is building strong chemistry with Jaron Requinton and Jude Garcia.

“Our mindset remains the same – we go back to training. Whatever weaknesses or adjustments we need to make, we must address them in practice so that we can execute them properly in actual matches,” Almendras said.

For Savouge, the biggest concern is the status of Shawie Caritativo and Lorenz Señoron, both of whom suffered ankle injuries in their last win. Without them, Hero Austria and the rest of the team will need to step up to pull off an upset.

VNS, Alpha Insurance Search for First Win

In the 3:30 p.m. match, VNS-Laticrete (0-3) and Alpha Insurance Protectors (0-3) both look to snap their winless start.

VNS will bank on its young core of CJ Segui and RK Medino, while Alpha Insurance turns to JJ Javelona and Vincent Nadera in hopes of breaking into the win column.

With every game crucial for semifinal positioning, expect another high-intensity day in the 2025 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference.