BY ABBY TORALBA
AFTER a three-year break due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Spikers’ Turf will be back this month with its Open Conference.
The local men’s club volleyball tourney, played last 2019, announced on social media its return to the court on August 30 featuring seven teams.
Leading the cast for the Spikers’ Turf comeback is the Cignal, which is expected to be bannered by volleyball star Marck Espejo.
Joining Cignal in the competition are the Philippine Air Force, Philippine Army, Philippine Navy, VNS, Sta. Rosa, and National University-Sta. Elena.
Sports Vision president Ricky Palou told Malaya-Business Insight that the Spikers’ Turf will keep its rank as an amateur league and will be played at the Paco Arena.
“The Spikers’ will remain an amateur league,” Palou said yesterday.
In the 2019 edition of the Open Conference, Cignal bagged the crown after outlasting Air Force in a best-of-three title series.
Ysay Marasigan of Cignal bagged the Most Valuable Player award, while Espejo took home the finals MVP plum back in the 2019 Open Conference.
Ran Abdilla was hailed as the First Best Open Spiker; Espejo was awarded also as Second Best Open Spiker, while Francis Saura and Anjo Pertierra were given the First and Second Best Middle Blocker awards, respectively.
Joshua Retamar took home the Best Setter award, while Ricky Marcos got the Best Libero trophy during Open Conference three years ago.
Cignal also ruled the 2019 Spikers’ Turf Reinforced Conference after dominating Air Force in a best-of-three finals.
