Action between the Cignal HD Spikers and the Criss Cross King Crunchers in the 2024 Spikers' Turf Invitational Conference Final, December 15, 2024 at the Philsports Arena. PVL Media/File

MANILA -- Reigning champion Cignal HD Spikers will try to hold off five other teams when they defend their crown in the 2025 Spikers' Turf Open Conference that starts on Friday. 

The HD Spikers are eyeing a third consecutive title in the season-opening tournament. While still among the favorites, they expect stiff competition against archrivals Criss Cross and budding contenders Savouge Spin Doctors, PGJC-Navy Sea Lions, and VNS-Laticrete Griffins.

Making their league debut are the Alpha Insurance Protectors.

"We are thrilled to start another season of Spikers' Turf, especially with the level of talent we have this year," said Spikers' Turf president Alyssa Valdez. 

"All teams have retooled their rosters and prepared extensively, making this a highly competitive tournament. This will be a huge boost for men’s volleyball as we get ready for the 2025 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship, which will be hosted here in Manila."

READ: HD Spikers make quick work of Criss Cross for Invitational crown

Matches will be played on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, with live coverage on One Sports, One Sports+, and the Pilipinas Live app, which will feature video-on-demand content. 

Fans can also stream games through the official Spikers’ Turf website.

The tournament will run until April 4, with games hosted at multiple venues, Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig, Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila, Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan, and PhilSports Arena in Pasig.

Each game day will feature a triple-header. 

The opening day at the Ynares Sports Arena will have PGJC-Navy Sea Lions vs. Savouge Spin Doctors at 1 p.m., Alpha Insurance Protectors vs. Cignal HD Spikers at 3:30 p.m., and VNS-Laticrete Griffins vs. Criss Cross King Crunchers at 6 p.m.

The competition will follow a double round-robin preliminary format, where teams will battle for positioning based on the FIVB Classification System. 

The top four teams will advance to the semifinal round, which will feature a single round-robin format.

From there, the top two teams will compete in a best-of-three championship series, while the third and fourth-ranked squads will clash in a bronze medal series. 

Should the gold medal series end in two games, the bronze medal series will also conclude accordingly, with ties determined by the FIVB Classification System.