Criss Cross showed why it remains the team to beat in the 2026 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference, shaking off an opening-set defeat before rallying past a stubborn ClearSkiiin side in four sets, 24-26, 25-19, 25-21, 25-23, on Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
The King Crunchers had their hands full against the determined UV Smashers but found another gear after dropping the opening frame, stringing together three consecutive set victories to tighten their hold on the top spot with an unbeaten 6-0 record.
ClearSkiiin threatened to extend the match to a deciding fifth set, but Criss Cross capitalized on crucial errors from the opposing side to escape with the hard-earned victory.
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Ariel Cacao committed a costly net violation on a block attempt late in the fourth set, allowing the UV Smashers to take a 23-22 lead. However, Noel Kampton came to the rescue with a cross-court attack to pull the King Crunchers level.
Loisa Gamban then committed back-to-back attack errors, handing Criss Cross the victory after nearly two hours of action.
“Parang nobody’s game yung laban kanina. Sobrang dikit nung laban, pressured game. Patibayan na lang talaga kung sino mananalo kanina,” said Cacao, who came off the bench to help steady the King Crunchers after they dropped the opening set.
“Pinipilit ko maging ready palagi, all the time, kasi kapag may opportunity na ipasok ako ni Coach Tai, kailangan i-grab ko yun,” he added.
Jude Garcia delivered a game-high 24 points on 21 attacks and three kill blocks, while adding 13 excellent receptions to lead Criss Cross to its sixth consecutive victory, bringing the team closer to a semifinal berth in the tournament organized by Sports Vision.
The five-time MVP drew plenty of support from the King Crunchers’ emerging talents, with rookie Amil Pacinio contributing 20 points on 19 attacks and one block, while Cacao dished out 22 excellent sets to go with four points.
Another newcomer, Kennedy Batas, also made his presence felt with 15 points and nine excellent receptions.
Criss Cross will look to move closer to securing a semifinal spot when it faces VNS-Laticrete on Sunday at 3 p.m. at the same venue.
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On the other hand, ClearSkiiin has stumbled after an impressive 4-0 start, absorbing back-to-back losses to slide to a 4-2 record and fall into a three-way tie with Savouge and Far Eastern University-DN Steel for fourth to sixth places in the standings.
Jay Rack De La Noche led the UV Smashers with 18 points and 13 excellent receptions, while Angela Gayud turned in his best performance of the conference with 16 points, all coming from attacks.
ClearSkiiin will look to arrest its slide when it takes on surging Alpha Insurance on Sunday at 5 p.m.
