Criss Cross kicked off its campaign for back-to-back titles with a commanding straight-set win over VNS Always Bright Laticrete, 25-17, 25-15, 25-17, in the 2026 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference on Tuesday at the Filoil Centre.
The King Crunchers barely broke a sweat against the young Griffins, using their lethal firepower and roster depth to dominate from start to finish, joining Alpha Insurance as the early leaders in the Sports Vision-organized tournament.
Newcomer Alche Gupiteo made an immediate impact, posting a game-high 11 points along with eight excellent receptions, while four-time MVP Jude Garcia also finished with 11 points and contributed six excellent digs for Criss Cross.
(C) Spikers Turf Images
“First, I’m very blessed kasi kinuha ako nila,” said the former UST beach volleyball star. “Thankful kasi maganda ‘yung laro. Siyempre kinakabahan kasi first Spikers’ [Turf] ko ‘to.
“Actually, nagtiwala lang talaga ako sa coaching staff, sa mga kuya, sa managers, that’s why na-boost ‘yung confidence ko to perform,” Gupiteo added.
Lloyd Josafat, who transferred from Cignal, scored nine points in two sets, recording five attacks, four kill blocks, and one ace in his debut for the King Crunchers, while Noel Kampton and Jaron Requinton added eight and six points, respectively.
Adrian Villados, who started the first two sets before coming off the bench in the third, orchestrated the offense with 12 excellent sets and one point.
Criss Cross dominated not only in attacks, 38-28, but also at the net, registering 15 blocks to just three for VNS, cruising to a decisive one-hour, seven-minute victory in a tournament supported by Alpha Insurance, Black Mamba, Arena Plus, and Premiere EMS.
The King Crunchers aim for back-to-back wins against the Protectors on Friday at 5 p.m., at the same venue.
VNS was led by Terrence Marticion and Michael Joshua Balintag, who scored eight and seven points, respectively. The Griffins will seek their first win against the new squad AEP-Cabstars on Friday at 3 p.m.
(C) Spikers Turf Images
