Records and stats mean nothing when two powerhouses collide. Expect an all-out battle tonight as defending champion Cignal takes on unbeaten Criss Cross in a highly anticipated Spikers’ Turf Open Conference rematch at the FilOil EcoOil Centre on Friday, March 14.

With first place and playoff seeding hanging in the balance, the 6:30 p.m. clash promises to be an explosive showdown between the league’s fiercest rivals.

Criss Cross aims to stay perfect, Cignal out for revenge

Criss Cross delivered a statement win in their first-round meeting, sweeping Cignal in dominant fashion. Now riding the momentum of a 7-0 record, the King Crunchers are determined to complete a double-round sweep and tighten their grip on the No. 1 seed.

Meanwhile, Cignal is hungry for redemption. Despite enduring a grueling five-set battle against Savouge just two nights ago, the HD Spikers remain focused on proving they can still dominate the league. A win tonight would force a tie at the top and potentially set the stage for a thrilling playoff battle.

Both teams expect a war

With familiarity comes intensity, and both squads know exactly what’s at stake.

“Against Cignal, we’ll review our last game against them. We can’t just rely on talent. Cignal is a formidable team, so we can’t afford to relax when playing against them,” said Criss Cross setter Ish Polvorosa in Filipino.

On the other hand, Cignal captain Wendel Miguel believes his team has what it takes to strike back.

“We still have a lot of work to do. Skill-wise, we’re in good shape, but we need to improve our mental toughness and patience on the court.”

Cignal battles fatigue, but confidence remains high

The HD Spikers survived a tough 27-25, 20-25, 28-30, 25-22, 15-13 victory against Savouge on Wednesday, testing their endurance ahead of tonight’s showdown.

“I’m not sure if our morale is high because we should have won in straight sets. The team is a bit exhausted, but we’ll have time to rest and analyze Criss Cross’ strengths and weaknesses,” admitted Cignal head coach Dexter Clamor.

Other matches: Crucial semifinal spots up for grabs

The Spikers’ Turf triple-header begins with Savouge (4-3) vs. Alpha Insurance (2-5) at 1 p.m., followed by VNS-Laticrete (1-6) vs. PGJC-Navy (1-6) at 3:30 p.m.