Criss Cross, after narrowly missing the top spot in the Open Conference, is back with renewed determination, targeting nothing less than a championship in the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference, which comes off the wraps on Wednesday in Pasig.
The King Crunchers kick off their campaign against a youthful but hungry VNS side at the Ynares Sports Arena. While the absence of ace spiker Marck Espejo is a significant blow, Criss Cross remains a formidable contender, thanks to key acquisitions and a roster brimming with talent.
New recruits, including National U's Nico Alemendras, Adrian Villados from Arellano U, and Perpetual Help's John Pepito, have strengthened the team’s firepower. These players bring with them collegiate experience, solidifying Criss Cross' rotation both in attack and defense.
Add to that the Filipino-American Lucca Mamone from Long Beach City College and former D’Navigators standout Francis Saura, and the King Crunchers have crafted a lineup capable of going all the way this time around.
On the other side, VNS, despite an inexperienced roster, remains optimistic. Led by seasoned player Benjaylo Labide and backed by young talents such as Jan Mangulabnan and captain Charles Jordan Segui, they will look to make it a competitive contest. However, Criss Cross is favored in this matchup due to its depth and experience.
Gametime is set at 4 p.m., following the 2 p.m. opening clash between the D’Navigators and Chichi DHTSI, formerly known as RichMarc Sports 3B.
