Semifinal-bound teams Criss Cross and Savouge collide on Sunday in a high-stakes match at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan with both sides looking to either assert dominance or conserve their energy for the intense phase of the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference.
The triple-header day begins with D’Navigators (1-7) facing Martelli Meats (1-7) at 2 p.m., followed by EcoOil La Salle (4-4) against VNS (3-5) at 4 p.m. The main game at 6 p.m. pits top-seeded King Crunchers against the surging Spin Doctors in what promises to be a thrilling prelude to the semis.
Despite the non-bearing nature of their match, Criss Cross and Savouge are expected to go all out. The King Crunchers, riding a five-game winning streak, aim to keep their momentum alive behind the troika of Jude Garcia, Nico Almendras and Gian Glorioso.
Meanwhile, Savouge will lean on Sherwin Caritativo, Giles Torres and Louis Gamban.
Savouge sealed the last semis spot last Friday with a commanding win over EcoOil La Salle, eliminating the Green Oilers and the Navy Sealions from contention. Now, with nothing to lose and everything to gain, both teams are primed to put on a show.
In the final game of the prelims, the King Crunchers seek to tie Cignal HD Spikers at 8-1 for bragging rights and the top seed.
Glorioso, instrumental in their recent win, is confident, vowing: “We’re here to keep our momentum. Every match is preparation for the semis.”
As the competition heats up, every team is determined to leave their mark.
“Heading into the match, same. We’re going to do our best, we’re going to give it our all,” said a Criss Cross player. “Whoever is on the other side, we’ll just do our best,” added Glorioso.
