Criss Cross shook off a sluggish start before finding its rhythm and imposing its will on 3B, carving out a 22-25, 25-10, 25-13, 25-15 victory to move within a win from sweeping the first round prelims of the 2026 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference Friday at the Filoil Playtime Centre.
Jude Garcia delivered his best performance of the conference thus far, coming away with 26 points to power the King Crunchers out of their early struggle and into their fourth straight romp in the six-team tournament organized by Sports Vision.
Garcia converted 19-of-31 attacks, while adding five kill blocks and two aces to provide Criss Cross the needed momentum heading into their much-anticipated clash with fellow unbeaten Savouge Spin Doctors on Sunday at the close of the first phase of the double-round elims.
The four-time league MVP admitted the King Crunchers came out a bit complacent and stiff in the early going, but they eventually settled down by sticking to head coach Tai Bundit’s “happy happy” mantra that helped them loosen up and dominate the rest of the way.
“Una syempre naging siguro kampante ‘yung team. Sobrang in-underestimate ‘yung kalaban kaya nakuha ‘yung first set. Kumbaga, talaga lahat ng teams sa Spikers’ Turf, pinaghahandaan kami. Gusto kaming talunin, so dapat focus lang every game and every match. Kailangan 100 percent talaga,” Garcia said.
“Nag-stick lang kami sa plan ni Coach Tai [Bundit] na happy-happy lang kasi nung first set sobrang seryoso nung set na ‘yun. So kailangan talaga iba ‘yung rhythm ng team, which is naging maganda naman ‘yung palit ng tao,” he added.
Alche Gupiteo continued his consistent showing with 12 points and 13 excellent receptions, while Lloyd Josafat and Jaron Requinton came off the bench to fire 11 and 10 points, respectively, providing added firepower to their already formidable arsenal.
Adrian Villados dished out 17 excellent sets as well, replacing surprise starter Eco Adajar to start the second frame on their way to the one-hour, 23-minute victory in the tourney backed by Alpha Insurance, Arena Plus, Black Mamba, and Premier EMS.
After the opening-set stumble, the King Crunchers asserted control the rest of the way, dominating the statistical battle with a 54-38 advantage in attacks, an 8-3 edge in blocks, and a 6-3 lead in service aces.
Meanwhile, the Event Masters suffered their second-straight loss to drop to 1-3.
Carl Berdal once again led the way for 3B with 12 points and 15 excellent receptions, while Israel Encina finished with 10 markers.
The Event Masters will look to end their opening round campaign with a win when they go up against AEP-Cabstars also on Sunday at 1 p.m.
