The Criss Cross King Crunchers showcased their relentless power and precision, delivering a convincing 25-21, 25-21, 25-11 win over the Ultras in the semifinals opener of the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference on Wednesday, December 4, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.

Strong Start for Criss Cross

Building on their undefeated run in the preliminaries, the King Crunchers displayed a blend of tactical prowess and raw strength to overwhelm the Ultras. Despite some early resistance from the youthful squad in the first two sets, Criss Cross demonstrated superior composure and execution in the clutch moments, leaving no room for upsets.

A dominant 15-5 start in the third set sealed the deal for the King Crunchers, who now hold a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three semifinals.

“This time, we can’t afford to relax,” said team captain Ysay Marasigan, emphasizing the team’s focus after narrowly reaching the finals last conference. “We’ve really taken all of Coach Tai [Bundit]’s instructions to heart, and it’s paying off.”

Standout Performances

• Joshua Garcia led the charge with 18 points, including 13 kills on 21 attempts, four service aces, and a block.
• Captain Ysay Marasigan added 12 points and four excellent digs.
• Gian Glorioso anchored the defense with six kill blocks and tallied nine points overall.
• Ish Polvorosa directed the offense with 16 excellent sets, enabling Criss Cross to maintain its stellar form.

The win extends Criss Cross’ seven-game winning streak and solidifies their status as top contenders for the championship.

Looking Ahead

The King Crunchers are set for a much-anticipated rematch with rivals Cignal HD Spikers on Sunday at 6:00 p.m., also at the FilOil EcoOil Centre. Cignal previously edged Criss Cross in a thrilling five-set match during the preliminaries and swept them in last May’s Open Conference finals.

Meanwhile, the Ultras, now on a three-game losing streak, will try to regroup and avoid falling to 0-2 when they face Cignal on Friday at 4:00 p.m.