Jude Garcia of Criss Cross attacks the defense of Savouge in the 2025 Spikers' Turf Invitational Conference, November 5, 2025 at the Paco Arena in Manila. PVL Media
MANILA -- Criss Cross kept its perfect start going after a three-set victory over Savouge in the 2025 Spikers' Turf Invitational Conference, Wednesday at the Paco Arena in Manila.
The King Crunchers took a 25-23, 25-18, 25-22 result behind the tandem of Jude Garcia and Noel Kampton.
Garcia, the three-time Spikers' Turf Most Valuable Player, put up 13 points while Kampton, the rookie from La Salle, added 12 points on seven kills, three aces, and a block. He also recorded six excellent receptions and five excellent digs to complement his offensive output.
"Siyempre nakaka-pressure 'to – unbeaten team, tapos lahat ng teams, players, at manonood babantayan kami. Mage-expect sila," said Kampton after helping the King Crunchers improve to 5-0.
"Pero for me, sige lang – nandyan lang naman 'yung standings. Ang importante, one game at a time. Kalimutan muna natin na 5-0 kami; basta pumunta kami sa game para manalo," he added.
Kampton fired three service aces in a 4-0 Criss Cross run that turned a slim 17-15 edge into a commanding 21-15 cushion in the third set.
Savouge mounted one last push, with Dan Nicholas sparked a 4-0 counterattack to trim the gap to 19-21.
But Criss Cross playmaker Adrian Villados halted the Spin Doctors' charge with a crafty drop shot, and a Vince Imperial net violation gave the King Crunchers more breathing room before Mark Calado kept Savouge's hopes alive with a late rally.
READ: Player of the Week Villados leads way in Criss Cross' perfect start
Marck Espejo, who had earlier set up match point, delivered the finishing blow with a powerful cross-court kill, sealing Criss Cross' one-hour, 22-minute triumph.
Villados dished out 20 excellent sets and chipped in three points, while Jaron Requinon added nine points and 10 excellent receptions.
Rookie middle blocker Edlyn Colinares also contributed eight markers, including three of the team's 11 kill blocks.
Criss Cross (5-0) aims to keep its spotless record intact when it faces University of Santo Tomas-Gameville on Sunday at 5 p.m. at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
For Savouge (2-2), Giles Torres led the way with 10 points, while Reymark Betco – who had back-to-back 20-point outings in their last two wins – was limited to just nine markers this time.
Shawie Caritativo finished with nine points and 15 excellent receptions, while Nicholas tallied eight points in a solid effort off the bench.
Savouge looks to bounce back when it battles PGJC-Navy (0-4) also on Sunday at 1 p.m.