Criss Cross emerged victorious against Cignal in a nail-biting five-set semifinal on Friday, November 21 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, thrilling fans with a 26-24, 22-25, 25-22, 24-26, 15-12 finish. The King Crunchers’ win extended their undefeated streak in the preliminaries and set the tone for the semifinals.

The opening night at the Big Dome highlighted the growing popularity of men’s volleyball in the Philippines, as fans cheered on the teams in a high-stakes showdown that saw momentum swing back and forth throughout the match.

Garcia leads Criss Cross with standout performance

Jude Garcia, three-time league MVP, spearheaded Criss Cross’ offense with 28 points, combining powerful attacks, solid blocks, and clutch serves. His 13 excellent digs kept his team in contention during critical stretches of the match.

“It’s incredible to play at Araneta,” Garcia said. “The support from fans and Spikers’ Turf making this possible is a big step for men’s volleyball. We’ll keep pushing to give our best every game.”

Requinton contributed 16 points and anchored the defense with 14 excellent receptions. Noel Kampton added nine points, while Nico Almendras, Poy Colinares, and Gian Glorioso each chipped in six. Setter Adrian Villados dished out 30 excellent sets, while libero John Pepito delivered 14 key receptions. Despite missing several players due to national team duties, Criss Cross showcased depth and teamwork.

Cignal fights back, but Criss Cross holds on

Cignal’s Rotter and Umandal put up impressive efforts with 25 and 21 points, respectively, while Wendel Miguel contributed 11. Rookie libero Van Prudenciado stood out with 27 excellent receptions and nine digs. The defending champions, however, were missing key players including Louie Ramirez, Owa Retamar, Lloyd Josafat, and Vince Lorenzo, affecting their cohesion in the decisive fifth set.

The match’s climax saw Criss Cross secure match point following a critical block by Villados against Umandal, sealing the victory in front of a jubilant crowd.

Next challenge awaits Kindai University

Criss Cross will face Kindai University today (Saturday) at 3 p.m. at the Filoil EcoOil Centre, testing their endurance and adaptability as the semifinals continue. The matchup promises to highlight mid-semis strategy and depth across both squads.