Criss Cross earned the second semifinals ticket in the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference, dominating Philippine Air Force, 25-17, 25-16, 25-15, at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig, Sunday.
The King Crunchers’ second straight win propelled them to 6-1, joining lone tormentor Cignal in the round-robin semifinals.
PGJC-Navy, D’Navigators, and Savouge Aesthetics dispute the final two spots for the next round.
“Looking forward kami sa lahat ng teams na makakapasok, hindi lang naman Cignal. Ganon pa rin yung mindset namin wala kaming expectations sa sarili namin, bagong team kami no pressure pa rin pero pipilitin pa rin namin maging magaling na team at maging buo pa,” said Criss Cross captain Ysay Marasigan, who provided 12 points.
Jude Garcia also produced 12 points on nine attacks, two blocks, and a service ace along with five digs in the victory in one hour and 13 minutes.
Chu Njigha and Pemie Bagalay, who were inserted into the starting lineup, also contributed nine and seven points respectively with the latter also having 6-of-11 excellent receptions.
This is the first time that the Airmen played with a complete lineup this conference with the arrival of Ranran Abdilla and James Buytrago, who both participated in the FIVB Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Futures held in Nuvali, Laguna. However, that did not stop them from falling to their sixth straight loss at 1-6.
The returning Abdilla and Bryan Jaleco had eight points apiece for Air Force with the former also tallying 12 receptions and four digs.
Both teams will close their respective elimination round schedules on Friday’s triple-header at the same Pasig venue.
Criss Cross will collide with Savouge in the main game at 6 p.m. while Air Force will tangle with VNS-Nasty prior at 4 p.m.
