One win away from another championship, Criss Cross isn’t celebrating just yet.
Despite drawing first blood in the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference best-of-three Finals, the King Crunchers remain locked in, wary of complacency and fully aware that Savouge is far from finished.
“Focus pa rin sa goal, huwag maging complacent sa ginagawa namin. Dodoble o kaya triplehin namin yung effort sa Game 2 talaga kasi alam naman natin na Savouge talagang lalaban. Kailangan talaga na yung mindset at focus namin, nandoon talaga sa game (Stay focused on the goal; we shouldn’t become complacent with what we’re doing. We’ll double or even triple our effort in Game 2 because we know that Savouge will really fight. Our mindset and focus really need to be fully on the game),” said four-time MVP Jude Garcia.
That mindset will be crucial as Criss Cross guns for the title-clinching win in Game 2 of their best-of-three series at 5 p.m. at the FilOil Centre Friday, looking to add another championship to their breakthrough Invitational Conference triumph last year.
The King Crunchers took the opener, 25-20, 26-28, 25-18, 25-20, in a performance that highlighted their biggest weapon: overwhelming firepower delivered with control and composure.
Garcia led the charge with 26 points, converting 23 of his 38 attacks in a relentless assault that repeatedly pierced through Savouge’s defense. But it wasn’t a one-man show. Jaron Requinton and Noel Kampton provided key support, stepping up in crucial stretches and helping stabilize the team whenever momentum threatened to shift.
Criss Cross’ balanced attack and disciplined floor defense proved too much in Game 1 – but the King Crunchers know it won’t come as easily the second time around.
After all, Savouge has already shown it can turn the tide.
The Spin Doctors snapped Criss Cross’ 14-game winning streak and nine-match domination over them with a gritty five-set victory in the Final Four— – reminder of their ability to disrupt even the most dominant teams.
However, one of Savouge’s biggest strengths was noticeably absent in the series opener: blocking.
A team that averaged 14.33 blocks per game in the semis, including a towering 23-block performance against AEP-Cabstars, was limited to just seven in the title series opener. The drop-off exposed gaps at the net and gave Criss Cross’ attackers far more freedom than usual to operate.
That’s something Savouge is determined to fix.
Led by Mark Caado, the Spin Doctors are expected to make immediate adjustments, particularly in tightening their net defense. Improving timing, closing angles and re-establishing their presence at the net will be key if they hope to slow down the King Crunchers’ high-powered offense.
Savouge knows that when its blocking clicks, it can dictate the tempo – and the Spin Doctors will be banking on rediscovering that identity to extend the series to a winner-take-all Game 3.
With just one day to prepare, both teams are racing against time to fine-tune their strategies – Criss Cross to maintain its edge, and Savouge to restore its defensive backbone.
The result sets the stage for another intense showdown, one that could either seal a championship or force a dramatic finale.
Meanwhile, AEP-Cabstars will try to complete a sweep of Alpha Insurance in their bronze medal series at 3 p.m.
