Battle-tested composure spelled the difference as Criss Cross turned back a gallant AEP-Cabstars side, carving out a 25-20, 29-27, 25-15 victory to stay unbeaten in the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference at the FilOil Playtime Centre on Sunday.
After flirting with disaster in a nerve-wracking second set, the King Crunchers leaned on their championship DNA to survive – then imposed their will in the third frame to stretch their straight-sets run and win streak to three.
The Cabstars had their golden moment.
Up 24-21 after a four-touch violation, AEP stood on the brink of handing the defending champions their first set loss of the conference organized by Sports Vision. Three set points. Three chances to shatter the aura.
But experience prevailed.
Nas Gwaza squandered a free-ball opportunity with an overcooked hit. Lloyd Josafat rose to stuff Gwaza and Vince Abrot in succession, erasing the deficit and igniting a momentum swing only seasoned champions know how to seize.
Still, the Cabstars refused to fold. They regained set point three in a tense extension, showcasing grit and composure in the face of Criss Cross’ relentless net defense. Yet they could not string together the finishing blows.
The Cabstars seized control on every sideout, showing grit and composure. They struggled, however, to string together consecutive conversions as the King Crunchers refused to back down. Josafat’s emphatic block tied the score at 25, and Alche Gupiteo offset Abrot’s sharp down-the-line attempt with a tough hit. Jay Rack dela Noche then answered with a blistering strike of his own, pushing the Cabstars to set point, 27-26.
But EJ Casana’s costly service error – their sixth failed attempt to close – opened the door just enough.
And Jude Garcia kicked it wide open.
Back in rotation after a brief respite, Garcia delivered back-to-back kills from the opposite side, turning looming danger into a defining statement. His late-set heroics, forged from previous championship battles, crushed the Cabstars’ resolve and underscored the King Crunchers’ poise under fire.
Sensing blood, Criss Cross wasted no time in the third.
Determined not to relive the second-set scare, the King Crunchers raced to a 6-2 start and never looked back, overwhelming their rivals with sharp execution and defensive discipline. The Cabstars, visibly drained from the emotional setback, struggled to recover as the defending champions completed the sweep with authority.
“Makikita kasi ‘yung ano dun eh, ‘yung maturity ng team ngayon,” said the four-time league MVP. “Nasa right path kami ng gusto naming mangyari this conference,. ‘Yun ‘yung ina-eye talaga namin, ‘yung maturity ng bawat isa.”
Garcia’s clutch finishing complemented Gupiteo’s all-around brilliance. He finished with a game-high 16 points on 14 attacks and two blocks, while Gupiteo poured in 13 points and 10 excellent receptions to earn Best Player of the Game honors.
“We started flat and lost our focus for a while,” said Gupiteo. “Good thing we reset our mindset in time.”
Noel Kampton managed nine points despite playing only in the first two frames, while Lloyd Josafat tallied four attacks and three kill blocks for seven points for the King Crunchers.
Adrian Villados dished out 21 excellent sets, leading the offensive strike that also saw Nico Almendras, Kim Malabunga, and Poy Colinares finish with four points apiece in their win in the tournament supported by Alpha Insurance, Arena Plus, Black Mamba, and Premier EMS.
Meanwhile, the Cabstars, who were coming off a straight-set win over VNS Always Bright Laticrete, slid to 1-2 in the standings.
De La Noche once again paced the squad with 16 points, while Gwaza and Abrot added 10 and nine points, respectively.
