The long break may have given the rest of the field in the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference time to rest and recalibrate, but it appears to have only toughened up unbeaten Criss Cross.
Despite already securing the first semifinal berth, the King Crunchers are expected to go all-out in preserving their perfect run as they face the AEP-Cabstars at 5 p.m. Wednesday at the FilOil Playtime Centre.
Riding a seven-game winning streak, Criss Cross aims to duplicate its dominant first-round victory over the Cabstars last March 1.
Behind a commanding stretch that has produced not only a spotless record but also a string of dominant wins – with the team yielding just two sets throughout the tournament – the King Crunchers have firmly established themselves as the squad to beat.
Criss Cross has steamrolled every opponent in its path, including two emphatic victories over the Savouge Spin Doctors, a team widely regarded as a serious title contender.
Rookie Alche Gupiteo has emerged as a revelation for Criss Cross, providing a strong two-way presence and forming a potent one-two punch with four-time MVP Jude Garcia to further power the King Crunchers’ relentless attack.
Meanwhile, Lloyd Josafat has settled comfortably into his role, giving the team a commanding presence in the middle that has bolstered the league’s top frontline, strengthened its defense and added another dimension to its already lethal offense.
“Yung last three games naman is parang preparation din namin siya papuntang semis, so syempre ayun, para todo bigay pa rin. All out pa rin kami every game,” said Josafat, who finished with 19 points in their four-set win over Savouge last Friday before the league, organized by Sports Vision, took a break.
But the Cabstars are also expected to go for broke as they try to hold on to the No. 4 spot with a 3-3 record and create a cushion over the fifth-running 3B Event Masters (2-5), the only team still in contention for the last Final Four berth.
The Cabstars are coming off back-to-back victories that propelled them to fourth place, and they hope to ride that momentum in their attempt to challenge league-leading Criss Cross.
Jared Schnake has proven to be a valuable addition for the Cabstars, bringing much-needed offensive firepower to a squad that has been searching for scoring support.
The steady presence of Jay Rack De La Noche, Vince Abrot, EJ Casana, Nas Gwaza, and Vince Lorenzo could also provide the Cabstars with the tools and confidence needed to halt the King Crunchers’ run.
Meanwhile, the Spin Doctors try to regain their winning ways after dropping two straight games following a four-game winning streak as they take on the Event Masters in the 3 p.m. opener.
Savouge, led by Louie Ramirez, Mark Calado, and Shawie Caritativo, is also looking to get back on track and move closer to securing a berth in the round-robin semifinals of the tournament backed by Alpha Insurance, Arena Plus, Black Mamba, and Premier EMS.
On the other hand, Carl Berdal, Christhian Olaes, and John Vincent Ramos will spearhead the Event Masters’ bid to stay in the hunt for a semis spot.
