Criss Cross advanced to the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference Final after securing its third consecutive win in the semifinals, wasting Shawie Caritativo’s explosive outing by way of a 24-22, 23-25, 26-24, 25-13 win over Savogue Aesthetics on Wednesday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
This marks the King Crunchers’ second straight appearance in the Final after their debut in the Open Conference, with Far Eastern University product Jude Garcia leading the charge.
(C) Spikers Turf Images
After a hard-fought battle in the first three sets, Criss Cross showed their dominance in the fourth, with Garcia guiding the team to a commanding 16-6 lead at the technical timeout.
From there, the King Crunchers found their finisher in middle blocker Gian Glorioso. He scored three unanswered points, including two blocks against Savogue’s ace, Shawie Caritativo.
Team captain Marasigan then delivered the decisive blow, sending his squad into the Finals.
“Sinasabi ko nga before ‘pag pasok nitong Spikers’ Turf na hindi na dapat namin tinuturing ‘yung sarili namin na bago, kasi off na ‘yun… Kasi naka-experience na kami before until nakapasok na rin kami ng Finals,” said Marasigan, who fired 13 points in the game.
“Ngayon, blessed lang kami na nakaabot kami ng Finals and lahat ng pinaghirapan namin the past few months, lumabas ngayon.”
Garcia showed the way with 20 points on 18 attacks, an ace, and a block while Nico Almendras also got 13 points and 19 excellent receptions.
(C) Spikers Turf Images
The first three sets saw Criss Cross needing to mount comebacks against Savogue, led by Caritativo, who blasted 25 points on 21 attacks, three blocks, and an ace.
Garcia and Marasigan managed to pull the King Crunchers through to win the first set. But Norwel Sanama closed out the second set for the Spin Doctors with a solid block against Garcia, leveling the match at 1-1.
Savogue maintained the upper hand early in the third set before Garcia exploded for three of his 20 points, helping Criss Cross regain the advantage in the tight third set.
Supporting Caritativo was Sanama with 13 points.
The Spin Doctors (1-2) will now await the result of the match between the Cignal HD Spikers and KondohGumi Hyogo.
A win by the Japanese side would create a three-way tie at 1-2 among them, Savogue, and DNS-FEU.
