Criss Cross revived its finals aspirations with a resounding 25-15, 25-16, 25-12 triumph over PGJC-Navy, while eliminating the Sealions from the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference semifinals at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila Friday night.
The King Crunchers thus leveled their record to 1-1 worth three points, tying the D’Navigators, who handed them a shock four-set defeat last Wednesday.
“Progress ito from last game na talo. Although nandoon pa rin yung maraming errors pero this game mas nagenjoy kami na no regrets kailangan namin ibigay yung best namin,“ said Criss Cross outside spiker Marck Espejo.
The former Cignal ace returned to the starting lineup after coming off the bench in the last three games.
Criss Cross, though, faces a formidable challenge in quest of a finals seat as it goes head-to-head with unbeaten Cignal in the final semis playdate on Sunday at 12 noon, also at Rizal Coliseum.
In contrast to their previous game against the D’Navigators where they admittedly relaxed, the King Crunchers showed up with a sense of urgency from the outset, dominating the Sealions, 25-15, and flaunting their defensive prowess in the next, tallying seven rejections.
Criss Cross maintained its intensity in the third, winning convincingly by 13 points.
The Sealions dropped to 0-2 and will not be able to force a triple tie at 1-2 even if they win against the fancied D’Navigators at 10 a.m. on Sunday.
