At the media launch of the 2026 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference on February 23, 2026. PVL Media Bureau
MANILA — Spikers’ Turf will be without its winningest club as the 2026 Open Conference commences Wednesday, Feb. 25.
With Cignal taking a leave of absence, the Philippines' pioneering men's volleyball league promises an unpredictable yet highly competitive playing field, joined by six squads equally eager to claim the crown.
READ: Men's volleyball: Cignal takes leave of absence from Spikers' Turf
Rebisco's Criss Cross may come up to one's mind as the frontrunner in the race to the Open Conference title, having won the 2025 Invitational title and entering the new tournament with an intact core, but players from the Super Spikers is expected to bolster the teams they joined during the offseason.
READ: Criss Cross gets breakthrough Spikers' Turf crown after outlasting Kindai in 5-set epic
With Savouge acquiring the services of former Cignal stars Louie Ramirez and JP Bugaoan, along with ex-PGJC-Navy standout Joeven Dela Vega, it sends a signal to the league that the Spin Doctors are ready to rise.
This is also the case of Alpha Insurance, which tapped Jau Umandal and JM Ronquillo, who were also from the MVP-owned squad. Adding spice to the competition are returning teams Cabstars and 3B; as well as VNS, which will bank on its young talent and veterans.
The 2026 Open Conference will have a double round-robin elimination round, to which the top four will proceed to a single round-robin semifinals.
As usual, the first two teams will battle in a race-to-two-wins Finals, and the bottom crews will duke it out for the last spot on the podium.