One team is determined to finally end a string of runner-up finishes. The other is aiming to assert its dominance in its very first stint in the league.
Criss Cross and Kindai University clash at 5 p.m. on Saturday at the Filoil Centre in San Juan for the 2025 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference crown, with the King Crunchers eager to savor the sweet taste of victory after settling for second place behind the Cignal Super Spikers in the last three editions of this tournament.
But standing in their way is a tough Japanese guest squad determined to stamp its class once again over the very same team it defeated in the semifinal round.
The King Crunchers, however, remain unfazed and focused on finally seizing the elusive title.
“One step at a time lang. Hindi puwedeng maging complacent sa kung anong ginagalaw namin kasi ang dami naming lapses in the past games kaya kailangan namin trabahuhin every point and every set sa championship,” said Criss Cross ace and three-time league MVP Jude Garcia.
Despite being a school team, Kindai U holds a mental edge over Criss Cross after carving out a four-set victory last week, 25-22, 25-22, 19-25, 25-22, handing the King Crunchers their first and only loss of the conference supported by Alpha Insurance, Premiere EMS, Buffalo’s Wings N’ Things, Black Mamba, and ArenaPlus.
But Kindai head coach Hideyuki Mitsuyama has urged his team to set aside the earlier result as they prepare for a different version of Criss Cross in the one-game finale.
“That win against Criss Cross in the semifinals does not mean a thing to us anymore. We know it will be an entirely different match on Saturday, so we need to be prepared because Criss Cross is really strong,” said Mitsuyama through an interpreter. “We just need to play Japan volleyball.”
Criss Cross, for its part, will need a complete team effort to finally get over the hump—putting added pressure on Nico Almendras, Noel Kampton, Jaron Requinton, Gian Glorioso, and Poy Colinares to elevate their game.
“‘Yung focus namin dapat 100 percent talaga, effort namin 100 percent kasi last game na eh. Kung ano ‘yung dapat naming ibuhos na makakaya namin, kung ano ‘yung pinaka-best game namin, ‘yun ang ipapakita namin sa Sabado,” Garcia added.
Kindai, meanwhile, will rely on the potent trio of Ryutaro Aun, Haruka Misugi, and Yoshiki Yasuda as they aim not only to repeat over Criss Cross but to clinch the championship and become the first-ever guest team to win a Spikers’ Turf title. They have already made history as the first guest squad to reach the Finals.
Meanwhile, Cignal and Savouge Aesthetics clash at 3 p.m. for the bronze. The Spin Doctors are eyeing a third straight podium finish, while the Super Spikers look to extend their streak of 15 consecutive podium appearances after missing what could have been their ninth straight Finals berth.
Games are aired live on One Sports and One Sports+, as well as through the Pilipinas Live app, which offers video-on-demand options. Games will also be streamed via spikersturf.ph.
