The Spikers' Turf returns after a long hiatus with fancied Cignal testing Sta. Rosa and VNS-One Alicia and Ateneo-Fudgee Barr facing off in a pair of matches kicking off the Open Conference Tuesday at the Paco Arena in Manila.

The HD Spikers clash with the Lions at 2:30 p.m.

The team is led by former league Most Valuable Players Marck Espejo and Ysay Marasigan.

"I'm excited that the Spikers' Turf is back since this is the league where it all started for us," said Espejo who played for FC Tokyo in the Japan V. League last season.

"We'll do our best to defend our crown but we know that the competition will be tough this conference."

The Lions of Sta. Rosa City, mentored by coach Edward Lirio, are made up of players 18 years old and below.

Ateneo-Fudgee Bar launches its title drive with skipper Lance De Castro and rookie Matthew Salarzon all primed for their 5:30 p.m. encounter with the VNS.

The three other squads in the seven-team field are the National University -Sta. Elena, Army and Navy.

The top four teams after the single-round eliminations will advance to the semifinals.

The top two will clash for the crown in a best-of-three series while the last two will dispute the bronze medal.

The semis are scheduled to start on 24 September with the finals slated on 1 October.