Criss Cross shrugged off a third-set slip and reaffirmed its dominance, outlasting Savouge Aesthetics 25-21, 25-19, 29-25, 25-19 to secure a semifinal berth in the 2026 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference on Friday at the Filoil Centre.
The King Crunchers remained perfect at 7-0, repeating their first-round sweep over the Spin Doctors, who fell 25-23, 29-27, 25-17 in the earlier matchup.
“After namin matalo sa third set, pinagusapan lang namin na bumalik kami sa first set. Start ulit nang maayos, start strong, at happy happy sa loob ng court,” said middle blocker Lloyd Josafat, who tallied nine blocks and 10 attacks for 19 points.
The Spin Doctors rallied in the third set, led by Shawie Caritativo, Dan Nicolas, JP Bugaoan, and Mark Calado, but Criss Cross showcased its championship composure.
Four-time league MVP Jude Garcia erupted for 19 points and seven digs, while newcomer Alche Gupiteo added 14 points and 20-of-28 excellent receptions.
Finals MVP Adrian Villados distributed 39 excellent sets, guiding his squad through a one-hour, 37-minute battle that lived up to the hype.
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Calado, despite sitting out the second frame, still top-scored for Savouge with 16 points while Bugaoan added 13 points.
Caritativo also came through with nine points and 17 excellent receptions in the defeat that dropped the Spin Doctors to 4-2, still at second place but just half a game above Alpha Insurance.
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Earlier in the day, Alpha Insurance tightened its grip on third place, fending off 3B 25-20, 25-14, 25-19.
The Protectors improved to 4-3, two games clear of fifth-place Event Masters.
“Galing kami sa talo so kahit papaano maganda ‘yung ipinakita ng players. Nung natalo kami, sabi ko back to zero tayo… nag-focus kami sa training at buti maganda naman ang ipinakita ngayon,” said head coach Mike Santos.
JM Ronquillo led a balanced attack with 12 points, including six blocks, while Edward Camposano provided nine points and 14-of-19 excellent receptions.
Jau Umandal, JM Apolinario, and Wesley Cajolo powered key stretches, including a six-point burst that gave the Protectors a commanding lead in the third set.
Vincent Ramos paced 3B with 10 points, but costly errors opened the door for Alpha Insurance to close out the 74-minute encounter.
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In the day’s opener, AEP Cabstars secured a straight-set win against VNS Always Bright Laticrete, 25-18, 25-19, 25-22, claiming a share of third place at 3-3.
After controlling the first two sets, the Cabstars survived a late third-set rally led by Winfred Santos and Kian Pablo, keeping their composure down the stretch.
Jay Rack Dela Noche and Jared Schnake unleashed back-to-back kills to finish the match in just 70 minutes.
“Actually, nagbunga ‘yung practice games namin tapos ‘yung team bonding namin… kaya siguro naging ganito ‘yung outcome ng game,” said head coach Kitty Antiporta of the newly formed team.
Dela Noche scored 18 points, Schnake 14, while EJ Casaña orchestrated 19 excellent sets.
VNS, still seeking its first win, was led by Jerzy Santos with 12 points.
