Criss Cross lost the opening set and answered with three straight wins. The King Crunchers rallied past ClearSKiiin, 24-26, 25-19, 25-21, 25-23, Wednesday at the Filoil Centre to stay unbeaten at 6-0 in the 2026 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference.

ClearSKiiin threatened to force a deciding fifth set. Ariel Cacao’s costly net violation on a block attempt gave the UV Smashers a 23-22 lead late in the fourth, but Noel Kampton answered with a cross-court attack to pull the King Crunchers level.

Loisa Gamban then committed back-to-back attack errors, handing Criss Cross the victory after nearly two hours of action. The King Crunchers capitalized on the crucial mistakes to escape with a sixth straight win and tighten their hold on the top spot.

Cacao, Garcia Lead Comeback Win

Cacao came off the bench to help steady the King Crunchers after the first-set loss. He finished with 22 excellent sets and four points in a match he described as tight and pressured.

“Parang nobody’s game yung laban kanina. Sobrang dikit nung laban, pressured game. Patibayan na lang talaga kung sino mananalo kanina,” said Cacao.

Cacao also said he stays ready for any call from Coach Tai. “Pinipilit ko maging ready palagi, all the time, kasi kapag may opportunity na ipasok ako ni Coach Tai, kailangan i-grab ko yun,” he added.

Jude Garcia, the five-time MVP, delivered a game-high 24 points on 21 attacks and three kill blocks, and added 13 excellent receptions. The output pushed Criss Cross closer to a semifinal berth in the tournament.

Rookie Amil Pacinio contributed 20 points on 19 attacks and one block, while newcomer Kennedy Batas made his presence felt with 15 points and nine excellent receptions. Both gave Garcia plenty of support from the King Crunchers’ emerging talents.

Spikers’ Turf Standings Race Tightens

Criss Cross will look to move closer to securing a semifinal spot when it faces VNS-Laticrete on Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Filoil Centre. The sixth straight win leaves the King Crunchers on top of the standings at 6-0.

ClearSKiiin stumbled after an impressive 4-0 start, absorbing back-to-back losses to fall to 4-2. The UV Smashers are now in a three-way tie with Savouge and Far Eastern University-DN Steel for fourth to sixth places.

Jay Rack De La Noche led ClearSKiiin with 18 points and 13 excellent receptions. Angela Gayud turned in a conference-best performance with 16 points, all coming from attacks.

ClearSKiiin will look to arrest its slide when it takes on surging Alpha Insurance on Sunday at 5 p.m. The UV Smashers will try to avoid a third straight loss.