Criss Cross left no doubt about its supremacy, sweeping fellow contender Savouge, 25-23, 29-27, 25-17, to complete a perfect first-round run in the 2026 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference, Sunday night at the Filoil Centre.
After gutting out tight wins in the first two frames, the King Crunchers pulled away in the third to finish off the Spin Doctors. They capped the double round-robin eliminations with an immaculate 5-0 record, clinching solo first heading into the next round.
Adrian Villados played a key role in the sweep, orchestrating the Criss Cross offense with 19 excellent sets. He also chipped in three points — one each from an attack, a block, and a service ace.
“Savouge talaga is ayun, kahit naman kami nalalakasan sa kanila. Mas mataas din ‘yung pressure ‘pag kalaban sila, pero sabi nga ni Coach Tai [Bundit] laro lang, happy lang,” said Villados.
“Siguro mas naging maganda ‘yung performance namin, pero talagang nahirapan kami. Kita naman sa game na dikit lang, hindi sila nakakauna, ‘di rin kami nakakauna.”
Alche Gupiteo paced the King Crunchers with 14 points on 12 attacks, one ace, and one block. Four-time MVP Jude Garcia put up 13 points, converting 12 of his 26 attack attempts in the one-hour, 26-minute battle.
Noel Kampton and Lloyd Josafat chipped in eight points apiece, then John Pepito anchored the floor with 17 excellent receptions.
Criss Cross committed just 14 errors while capitalizing on Savouge’s 23 miscues to keep momentum firmly on their side.
The King Crunchers will open the second round against Alpha Insurance on Wednesday at 5:00 PM at the same San Juan venue.
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On the other hand, Savouge absorbed its first loss after a dominant four-game winning streak, dropping to second place with a 4-1 record.
Louie Ramirez led the Spin Doctors with 16 points, while Shawie Caritativo finished with 12 points and 15 excellent receptions. JP Bugaoan added nine markers.
Earlier, Alpha Insurance closed out the first round with back-to-back wins, cruising past VNS Always Bright Laticrete in straight sets, 25-16, 25-20, 25-18, to finish third with a 3-2 record.
AEP-Cabstars also ended the round on a high, arresting a two-game skid with a 25-20, 25-20, 25-21 sweep of 3B to claim fourth place at 2-3
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Jau Umandal led the Protectors with 16 points, while Cian Silang directed the offense with 16 excellent sets. Edward Camposano and JM Ronquillo added eight points each.
“Hindi pa talaga perpekto; ang dami pa rin naming errors, pero masaya ako kasi nakalagpas kami sa VNS ngayon,” said Alpha Insurance head coach Mike Santos.
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EJ Casaña orchestrated the Cabstars’ balanced offense with 18 excellent sets, while Jay Rack De La Noche led all scorers with 17 points.
Jared Schnake contributed 15 points in only his second game, while Vince Abrot tallied 12 markers. Nas Gwaza added eight. Vince Lorenzo provided 15 excellent receptions.
“Maganda para sa amin ‘yung panalo na ‘to. Na-gain namin ‘yung composure namin sa huddle bago nag-start,” said AEP-Cabstars head coach Kitty Antiporta.
3B absorbed a third consecutive loss, falling to 1-4, while VNS remained winless.
