Criss Cross weathered an early scare before unleashing a dominant response, overpowering AEP-Cabstars, 21-25, 25-19, 25-17, 25-17, to secure the final ticket to the 2026 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference Finals on Sunday at the Filoil Centre.
The King Crunchers capped their round-robin semifinal campaign with a 2-1 record, clinching their fifth straight Finals appearance and setting up a highly anticipated best-of-three showdown against Savouge on Wednesday at 5:00 PM.
After a sluggish start in the opening set that put them on the back foot, Criss Cross regrouped with renewed purpose in the next three frames. They anchored their turnaround on solid blocking and sustained pressure, eventually overpowering the Cabstars the rest of the way.
(C) Spikers Turf Images
AEP-Cabstars managed to close in on the King Crunchers in the fourth set in an attempt to extend the match to a decider. However, Jaron Requinton sparked a 4-0 run that turned a slim 16-14 lead into a commanding 20-14 advantage.
From there, Criss Cross closed out the match in emphatic fashion. Requinton took charge in the stretch, delivering the team’s final four points to complete the one-hour-and-49-minute victory and seal their Finals berth in the tournament organized by Sports Vision.
“Siguro ‘yun, kailangan naming maging all-out kasi ‘yung game ngayon is do-or-die para sa Finals namin. At the same time, para mas mataas ‘yung morale namin going to our goal, which is to be a champion again,” said Requinton, who finished with 15 points off the bench.
“Kaya ‘yun lang ‘yung pumapasok sa isip namin — kailangan namin… ‘Di kami pwedeng magpakumpyansa sa sarili namin. Kailangan naming lumaban every game,” he added.
Four-time MVP Jude Garcia once again anchored the King Crunchers’ offense with 24 points off 20 attacks and four kill blocks, while also contributing eight excellent receptions. Adrian Villados orchestrated the offense with 30 excellent sets.
Nico Almendras, Kim Malabunga, and Lloyd Josafat added six points apiece, as head coach Tai Bundit maximized his bench to inject energy after a lackluster opening set.
Menard Guerrero and John Pepito stabilized the King Crunchers’ floor defense, tallying 13 excellent digs and 14 excellent receptions, respectively.
(C) Spikers Turf Images
Meanwhile, AEP-Cabstars will move on to the battle for bronze series against Alpha Insurance on Wednesday after finishing the semifinals with a 1-2 record.
Jared Schnake led the Cabstars with 18 points and eight excellent digs in their final semifinal outing, while Jay Rack De La Noche added 17 markers.
