Criss Cross celebrates after beating Kindai University to win the 2025 Spikers' Turf Invitational Conference championship, November 29, 2025 at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan. PVL Media
MANILA (UPDATED) -- Criss Cross finally reached the top of the Spikers' Turf mountain after an exceptionally hard-fought triumph against Kindai University in the final of the Invitational Conference.
The King Crunchers squandered a two-set advantage and faced multiple match points, but they held their nerve to seize a 25-15, 25-21, 23-25, 23-25, 22-20 victory over the Japanese guest team, Saturday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Jude Garcia exploded for 35 points on 34 kills to lead the way for Criss Cross, which finally won their first-ever Spikers' Turf crown after three consecutive second-place finishes.
They had to do it the hard way, with Kindai U threatening to complete a reverse sweep and putting Criss Cross on the brink of defeat during the extended fifth set.
But in their second championship point, Criss Cross finally got the job done when Kindai's Haruka Misugi sent a crosscourt attempt wide, triggering an outpouring of confetti and an emotional celebration for the King Crunchers.
Three other players reached double-digits for Criss Cross, who had a 74-69 advantage in kills and also benefited from 30 unforced errors from the Japanese squad.
Haruka had 27 points on 21 kills, four aces and a block, having served as the biggest thorn on the side of Criss Cross before his final, untimely error. Yoshiki Yasuda added 22 points.
It was a sorry loss for the young Japanese squad, which had a whopping six championship points but could not quite get the final kill against the King Crunchers. Garcia shattered the match's last deadlock with an attack off the Kindai blockers, before Haruka's error ended the marathon that lasted two hours and 12 minutes.
"Sobrang sarap sa feeling. Unang championship namin," said Garcia. "Ilang heartbreaks na, tatlong seasons, nakuha din naming ang championship. Ang sarap sa pakiramdam."
"Lahat ng paghihirap namin sa training… inasam-asam talaga namin itong championship," he added.