The Open Conference just got blown wide open.
The Spikers' Turf Open Conference starts this Sunday, January 22, with eleven teams in the competition, considerably larger than last year's seven. With four new teams and coming off the PNVF Champions League, men's volleyball just got more competitive — and interesting given the player movement in the offseason. Below, we take a look at the roster changes for every holdover squad, along with the the lineups of the new teams.
Cignal HD Spikers
The Cignal HD Spikers are out to regain the Open Conference title. And they have proven they mean business after snatching the PNVF title, thanks to MVP Marck Espejo, Best Middle Blocker JP Bugaoan, Best Libero Manuel Sumanguid III, and team captain Ysay Marasigan. They may not have powerful spiker Bryan Bagunas anymore and lost four more key players to expansion, but the HD Spikers retooled nonetheless by snagging setter EJ Casaña from PGJC Navy and Gadpray Aresgado from Bacolod.
Cotabato Spikers
The Cotabato Spikers are one of the new teams in the Spikers' Turf, but they're no stranger to the volleyball scene. In fact, they reached the finals of the PNVF Champions League, thanks to Best Outside Spiker Jao Umandal. They also snagged Umandal's teammate, Vince Lorenzo, from PGJC, along with Cignal's Rex Intal and Edward Camposano.
D'Navigators Iloilo
D'Navigators Iloilo will be competing in the Spikers' Turf for the first time, but they have familiar faces set to guide them in the competition — Jade Disquitado and JM Espanso from Santa Rosa.
Imus Men's Volleyball Team
Imus is another familiar name making its debut in the Spikers' Turf. The team is sure to be a confident bunch, as it is coming off a third place finish in the PNVF, with team captain and Best Setter Ish Polvorosa, Louie Ramirez from Cignal, and Kim Malabunga — who played for Cotabato in the Champions League.
NU-Archipelago Builders
National University will have a bumpy, uphill road to defending its title this conference as former captain Nico Almendras, 2022 Best Setter Joshua Retamar, and 2022 Conference and Finals MVP Michaelo Buddin won't be playing to focus on the UAAP. Taking the reigns will be Joseph Bello, Marco Maclang, Mac Bandola, Michael Fortuna, and Ahmad Abdul, who will look to steer the young guns this conference.
Philippine Army Troopers
The core of the Troopers is mostly intact — with a valuable addition in Onse Ensiso. Randy Fallorina has also been promoted to head coach for the Lady Troopers while working as an assistant for the men's team. Jaylo Lapide and the squad will be looking to improve on their last place finish in the 2022 Open Conference.
Philippine Air Force
The Airmen will make their return to the Spikers' Turf after skipping the 2022 edition. Answering the call once again is team captain and two-time Best Setter Jessie Lopez, four-time Best Outside Spiker Alnakran Abdilla, and 2017 Best Outside Spiker Edwin Tolentino.
PGJC Navy Sea Lions
The PGJC Navy, who finished third in the 2022 Open Conference, is in rebuild mode with Umandal and Lorenzo now competing for Cotabato and Casaña signing with Cignal. Greg Dolor and Christian Marcelino will be leading the Sea Lions this time around, along with former Griffin Alfredo Pagulong and ex-HD Spiker Owen Suarez.
Santa Rosa City Lions
It's a brand new team for the Santa Rosa City Lions for the 2023 Open Conference. There's no more Jade Disquitado and JM Espanso, but newly anointed captain Harvey Quezada will be getting plenty of help from former Griffins Uriel Mendoza and Kevin Montemayor.
Vanguard Volley Hitters
The Vanguard Volleyball Team is the last of four new squads joiningthe 2023 Open Conference. The team will be led by Ron Villegas, with ex-Army Trooper John Daniel Diwa looking to provide additional leadership.
VNS Griffins
The VNS Griffins have been revamped after their fourth place finish in the 2022 Open Conference. With the departure of Polvorosa, Mendoza, Pagulong, and Montemayor, and Best Outside Spiker Ben San Andres focusing on the NCAA, getting a podium finish just got even harder for mainstays Jan Mangulabnan, Joshua Cruz, and Noy Pedrosa. But the Griffins do have a bright spot in two-time UAAP champion Ron Medalla, who returns to the Spikers' Turf after recovering from a knee injury.