The King Crunchers displayed their dominance on the court as they defeated the Master Butchers with a commanding 3-0 sweep in the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference at the Ynares Sports Arena on Wednesday, November 13. This victory not only secured their second consecutive win but also created a logjam in the standings, with the King Crunchers now tied for third to fifth place alongside Cignal and Savouge, all boasting identical 4-1 records.

The game was over in just over an hour, with Criss Cross (the King Crunchers) winning 25-9, 25-19, and 25-16, eliminating Martelli Meats from playoff contention. Francis Saura was the standout player, leading the charge with 14 points, as Criss Cross continued their march towards the semifinals.

In his post-game comments, Saura acknowledged the need for further improvement: “Marami pa kaming kailangan i-polish pa. Hindi naman natatapos ‘yung improvement, there’s always room for improvement ika nga. So ngayon, sa susunod naming mga laban, matitibay na ‘yung mga teams so mas papatibayin namin ‘yung opensa at depensa namin.”

Aside from Saura’s performance, Jude Garcia contributed 10 points and eight excellent receptions, while Chumason Njigha and Gian Glorioso combined for six crucial blocks, adding nine and seven points, respectively. Setter Ish Polvorosa tallied 16 excellent sets and three points to complete the team’s remarkable effort.

As the King Crunchers look ahead to their next matchup against FEU-DN Steel, the stakes are high. The game, set for Sunday at 6:00 p.m., will be a critical test of their continued momentum in the Invitational Conference.

Meanwhile, the Master Butchers remain at the bottom of the standings, tied with Chichi DHTSI at 0-6. Despite a solid effort from Kenrod Umali, who scored 11 points, and contributions from Angelo Reyes and Jerome Cordez, who tallied six and five points, respectively, the Master Butchers fell short once again. They will look to bounce back in their next match against the Titans, also on Sunday at 2:00 p.m.

The 2024 Spikers’ Turf Invitational continues to build excitement, with Criss Cross (King Crunchers) positioning themselves as strong contenders in the race for the semifinals.