With Marck Espejo back in harness, Criss Cross continued its dominant run in the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference, crushing Savouge in straight sets, 25-22, 25-18, 25-18, to open the semifinal round with a statement victory at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
What was expected to be a tense Sunday showdown turned into a one-sided affair, as the King Crunchers not only extended their unbeaten streak to 11 matches but also gained an early edge in the single round-robin Final Four.
Anticipating another grueling battle against a team that had pushed them to five-set thrillers in the elimination round, Criss Cross came prepared and determined. In their previous encounters, the King Crunchers had to rally from a pair of 1-2 set deficits, but this time, they took control early, shaking off Savouge’s resistance in the opening frame before dominating the next two.
Criss Cross showcased an all-around masterclass, blending sheer power with rock-solid blocking and relentless floor defense. Their commanding presence at the net neutralized Savouge’s offensive weapons, leaving the Spin Doctors unable to find their rhythm.
Espejo, fresh from his stint with the Kubota Spears in the Japan V.League, saw limited action in his return, as Jude Garcia and Nico Almendras continued their stellar form to help the King Crunchers preserve their unbeaten record in the tournament organized by Sports Vision.
Garcia, the reigning MVP of the Open Conference, led Criss Cross’ well-balanced offensive attack with 12 points, while Almendras contributed 11 points from nine attacks, one block, and an ace. Almendras also delivered an outstanding defensive performance, tallying 16 excellent receptions.
“We really focused on our defense because it was clear that Savouge had been preparing for us. That’s why we worked hard for every point, and we got the win,” said Garcia in Filipino.
Kim Malabunga and Jaron Requinton chipped in eight markers each, while Gian Glorioso added seven points for the King Crunchers in the one-hour, 19-minute contest.
Ish Polvorosa orchestrated the team’s plays with 17 excellent sets, while Manuel Sumanguid anchored the floor defense with eight excellent digs and 10 excellent receptions.
Meanwhile, Espejo, who last suited up for Criss Cross in Game 2 of the 2024 Open Conference on May 10, made his much-anticipated return and tallied five points in his first game back in the tournament supported by ArenaPlus and Mikasa.
“This is a huge boost for us, especially with kuya Marck back in the lineup. But we can’t afford to relax—we still need to stay focused,” said Garcia.
Almendras’ well-placed spike caught Savouge off guard, pushing Criss Cross to match point at 24-18. Moments earlier, Sherwin Caritativo’s attempt to keep Savouge alive was met with a formidable block, highlighting the King Crunchers’ defensive prowess.
With the Spin Doctors reeling, Almendras sealed the match with an ace, securing the straight-set win.
With momentum firmly on their side, Criss Cross looks to extend its winning streak to 12 when it takes on VNS-Laticrete on Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. The much-anticipated clash with their arch-rivals, the Cignal HD Spikers, looms on Sunday.
On the other hand, Savouge struggled to find its rhythm and looked nothing like the squad that had previously pushed the King Crunchers to five-set thrillers in the elims.
Mark Calado and Sherwin Caritativo paced Savouge with 14 and 10 points, respectively.
The Spin Doctors will look to bounce back from a rough start when they face defending champions Cignal HD Spikers on Wednesday at 6 p.m.
The best-of-three finals will start on April 2, with the King Crunchers determined to stay on course for the championship – one that slipped through their grasp last year after falling to the HD Spikers in both the Open and Invitational Conferences.
