Bryan Bagunas made sure to leave everything out on the court on Sunday night to help Cignal escape Criss Cross in a tight five-set affair in the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference at the Philsports Arena.
Knowing that he will miss the HD Spikers’ next two assignments due to his commitment in Taiwan, Bagunas stepped up and delivered in the HD Spikers’ heart-stopping 20-25, 25-15, 23-25, 25-23, 15-12 win over the King Crunchers.
Less than seven hours after Cignal’s big win, Bagunas – who already missed the team’s first three games – is set to hop on a plane and return to Taiwan to participate in an All-Star game which is set to take place on April 20.
“Yun, bale bukas na agad yung flight ko, [April] 15, five a.m., talagang pinaraos lang ‘tong game na ‘to. Ayun, nandun ako sa Taiwan ng 15 until 24 kasi may All-Star game kami ng 20 so kailangan kong umattend, naka-commit din ako sa Taiwan,” shared Bagunas.
The former TVL MVP, who will fly back on the 24th to attend the launch of the Philippines’ hosting of the FIVB World Championship, will miss the HD Spikers’ upcoming match against the D’Navigators on Wednesday and is expected to be out as well in their game against VNS-Nasty on April 24.
Bagunas assured that he will immediately rejoin Cignal once his commitment ends.
“So ayun, after naman nun babalik naman ako dito sa Pilipinas for the launch ng World Championship sa 25, may launch kasi so kailangan kong bumalik then hanggang finals ng Spikers’ Turf nandito na ako,” he added.
The former National University star powered through cramps, which kept him out late in the third and early in the fourth set, delivered a game-high 27 points on 26 attacks and one ace to help Cignal take the solo lead in the standings with a 5-0 record.
Bagunas also played big in the final frame, scoring three points in a pivotal 3-1 run that gave the HD Spikers a comfortable 13-10 advantage, which also paved the way for Jau Umandal to put on the finishing touches.
Despite the cramps, the former UAAP MVP shared that his desire to help the team prevailed – and that definitely showed in his electrifying performance in the finale.
“Bale nag-cramps ako, both legs. Buti na lang nakahabol ulit. Syempre ako, bilang bago sa team, gusto ko naman talagang makatulong sa team. Nangibabaw yung mentality ko na makatulong sa team.”
