Men’s volleyball takes center stage beginning Wednesday, February 25, as the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference unwraps, ushering in what could be the most unpredictable season in league history. The early outlook points to a tightly packed field with several teams believing the title race is wide open.

For the first time in years, the absence of the league’s winningest club, the Cignal Super Spikers, has dramatically reshaped the competitive landscape. While reigning Invitationals champion Criss Cross enters as the early favorite behind an intact and loaded roster, the margin separating contenders has noticeably narrowed.

The King Crunchers still boast star power and chemistry, but the rest of the six-team field arrives with retooled lineups and renewed belief. Across the board, teams see this conference as a genuine opportunity to break through.

Offseason shakeups fuel parity

The offseason delivered major player movement, with multiple clubs reinforcing their rotations by tapping talent from the former Super Spikers pool. The reshuffling has injected fresh intrigue into the men’s tournament.

Savouge made perhaps the boldest splash, securing the services of Louie Ramirez and JP Bugaoan along with ex-PGJC-Navy standout Joeven Dela Vega. The aggressive rebuild signals the club’s intent to push back into serious title contention.

Alpha Insurance also fortified its core by bringing in Jau Umandal and JM Ronquillo, while VNS Griffins continues blending emerging youth with veteran stability in its long-term build.

League president Alyssa Valdez welcomed the surge of offseason activity, noting how player movement has energized both teams and supporters heading into the Open Conference.

Format and returning teams add intrigue

During the league press conference at Dickey’s Barbecue Pit in Parqal, Parañaque, tournament director Mozzy Ravena detailed the competition format. The tournament will feature a double round-robin elimination phase where the top four teams advance to a single round-robin semifinal.

The two best teams after the semis will clash in a best-of-three Finals, while the remaining semifinalists dispute the bronze medal. The structure is designed to reward consistency while keeping the race competitive deep into the conference.

Ravena emphasized that the league’s continued presence reflects the resilience of men’s volleyball in the country, a vision long supported by Sports Vision, which also operates the Premier Volleyball League.

Adding further intrigue are returning squads Cabstars and 3B, both eager to reassert themselves in the pioneering men’s league. With strengthened rosters across the board, the 2026 Open Conference is shaping up as a tournament where reputation alone offers no guarantees.