The Cignal HD Spikers celebrate a point against Criss Cross in Game 3 of the Spikers' Turf Open Conference Finals, April 6, 2025 at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City. PVL Media

MANILA -- The Cignal HD Spikers put on a show on Sunday to stay on top of the mountain in Spikers' Turf.

Taken to the limit by their archrivals just last Friday, the HD Spikers turned the tables on Criss Cross and registered a 25-22, 25-16, 28-26 victory in the do-or-die Game 3 of the Open Conference Finals at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

Having lost twice to the King Crunchers in the elimination round and again in the semifinals, Cignal HD elevated their game in the championship series where they outlasted Criss Cross, 2-1. 

Steven Rotter and Louie Ramirez starred for Cignal HD in Game 3, with 15 points each. They overwhelmed Criss Cross in all departments, tallying a 45-37 edge in kills, a 13-9 advantage in blocks, and a 3-0 lead in service aces.

"My mindset was to make it up to my teammates. I didn't perform well all season, so I told myself that if I got a chance in the finals, I'd give everything I had," said Ramirez in Filipino, after bagging Player of the Game honors in the decider.

"I'm really proud of my teammates. We trained so hard – we really, really wanted to win," he added.

Cignal HD celebrates after winning the 2025 Spikers' Turf Open Conference championship, April 6, 2025 at the PhilSports Arena. PVL Media

Facing a 0-2 set deficit, the King Crunchers seemed poised to extend the match after controlling most of the third. But they faltered down the stretch and could not find the form that had propelled them to 13 straight wins in the conference.

With Cignal HD down 20-23, head coach Dexter Clamor called on Jau Umandal, who came off the bench and delivered back-to-back kills before blocking Chumason Njigha's quick attack to force a 23-all deadlock.

The HD Spikers then erased three set points before Rotter came through in the closing stages. His block of Marck Espejo put Cignal HD at match point, and he delivered the back row kill that ultimately sealed the deal for his squad.

Wendel Miguel and Lloyd Josafat contributed eight points each, while JP Bugaoan and Umandal chipped in seven and five points, respectively.

Jude Garcia was the lone player from Criss Cross in double-digits, with 12 points.