The race to the Finals officially begins as the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference semifinals get underway, with all teams resetting to zero and fighting for survival in a high-stakes round-robin format at the FilOil Center on Wednesday, April 8.

Despite the reset, one storyline towers above the rest: can anyone stop Criss Cross? The King Crunchers enter the semifinals unbeaten after a dominant 10-game sweep of the eliminations, establishing themselves as the clear team to beat.

Every contender now faces the same challenge—figure out a way to crack a squad that has shown no visible weakness so far. With momentum and confidence on their side, Criss Cross carries the pressure of expectations into the next phase.

Savouge, Alpha Insurance and AEP-Cabstars all have a chance to rewrite their narratives. But doing so will require near-perfect execution against a team that has dictated the pace throughout the tournament.

Criss Cross sets the standard entering semifinals

Criss Cross opens its semifinal campaign against Savouge, a team it previously handled convincingly during the eliminations. The Spin Doctors now look to prove they have made the necessary adjustments for a different outcome.

The King Crunchers’ dominance has been built on a combination of depth, balance, and control on both ends of the court. Their ability to dictate tempo and shut down opposing attacks has made them the most complete team in the field.

At the heart of their success is a suffocating net defense that led the eliminations in blocking. With 123 total blocks and an average of 3.84 per set, Criss Cross has consistently disrupted offensive systems.

Lloyd Josafat, Jude Garcia, Noel Kampton and Kim Malabunga have anchored that defensive wall. Their presence at the net has forced opponents to rethink attacking strategies throughout the conference.

Challengers look to break through in round-robin battle

Savouge enters the matchup armed with a dynamic offensive lineup featuring Mark Calado, Louie Ramirez, JP Bugaoan and Shawie Caritativo. Each has proven capable of scoring in bunches, giving the Spin Doctors multiple weapons.

Breaking through Criss Cross’ defensive system, however, remains the biggest test. It will take not just scoring power but also discipline, timing, and consistency across sets.

In the other semifinal pairing, Alpha Insurance faces AEP-Cabstars in a crucial clash that could shape the standings early. Both teams are eager to gain momentum after failing to topple the top seeds in the eliminations.

Alpha Insurance will lean on Jau Umandal, Edward Camposano and JM Ronquillo, while AEP-Cabstars counter with Jay Rack De La Noche, Vince Abrot and Jared Schnake in what is expected to be a tightly contested matchup.

With every game carrying massive weight in the round-robin format, there is little margin for error. As the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference semifinals unfold, the question remains—can anyone rise to challenge Criss Cross, or will the King Crunchers continue their dominant run to the Finals?