Criss Cross celebrates against Savouge in the 2026 Spikers' Turf Open Conference, March 8, 2026 at the Filoil Centre in San Juan. PVL Media
MANILA -- Criss Cross completed a sweep of the first round of the 2026 Spikers' Turf Open Conference after outlasting Savouge on Sunday at the Filoil Centre in San Juan.
The King Crunchers came out on top in a back-and-forth affair, 25-23, 29-27, 25-17, for their fifth win in a row.
Playmaker Adrian Villados orchestrated their offense with 19 excellent sets to go along with three points, while Alche Gupiteo led the King Crunchers with 14 points built on 12 attacks, a block and an ace.
Four-time Most Valuable Player Jude Garcia added 13 points, converting 12 of his 26 attack attempts in the one-hour, 26-minute battle.
"Siguro mas naging maganda ‘yung performance namin, pero talagang nahirapan kami. Kita naman sa game na dikit lang, hindi sila nakakauna, ‘di rin kami nakakauna," said Villados after the match.
It was the first loss of the tournament for the Spin Doctors, who committed 23 miscues in the three-set affair. Criss Cross played a relatively clean game with just 14 miscues.
Louie Ramirez led Savouge with 16 points on 13 attacks and three blocks, while Shawie Caritativo finished with a double-double of 12 points and 15 excellent receptions.
JP Bugaoan added nine markers, but Mark Calado and Giles Torres were held to just five points.
Savouge looked poised to equalize when they surged to a 21-16 lead in the second set, only to commit a bevy of service errors that handed the momentum to the King Crunchers.
Criss Cross went on to dominate the third set, racing to a 16-12 lead before Nico Almendras wrapped up the match with a thunderous kill.
The King Crunchers will seek to keep their unblemished slate when they take on the Alpha Insurance Protectors at the start of the second round on Wednesday, 5 p.m. at the same San Juan venue.
Savouge will have the chance to redeem itself as the Spin Doctors and the King Crunchers tangle in a rematch on Friday at 5 p.m.