MANILA -- Criss Cross displayed its poise to avert an upset against Savouge, managing a five-set win on Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
The King Crunchers regained their form in time to take a 22-25, 25-15, 23-25, 25-18, 15-7 win that allowed them to stay unbeaten in the 2025 Spikers' Turf Open Conference.
Gian Glorioso and Pemmie Bagalay put on a blocking clinic in the fifth set as the duo dominated above the net, shutting down the Spin Doctors' offense to help the King Crunchers complete their comeback from a 1-2 deficit.
They are now 4-0 in the tournament, tying archrival Cignal HD at the top of the league standings.
Glorioso delivered three kill blocks while Bagalay added two in a blistering 6-0 start, aided by a Savouge attack error, for Criss Cross, which ultimately set the tone of the rout in Set 5.
The King Crunchers traded hits with Savouge, before Bagalay started a 3-0 blitz with a cross-court hit and ended it with another rejection to give his side a commanding 13-5 edge, which the Spin Doctors never recovered from.
Action between Criss Cross and Savouge in the 2025 Spikers' Turf Open Conference, March 2, 2025 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. PVL Media
"Sobrang saya kasi talagang tinrabaho nila, kumbaga 'yung spot na binigay ni coach Tai (Bundit) sa kanila (tinrabaho nila). Si Pemmie kahit 'di starter, makikita mo sa kanya 'yung eagerness niya mag-contribute sa team," said reigning Open Conference MVP Jude Garcia.
"Gusto talaga nilang manalo. Kudos talaga sa kanila," he added.
Hero Austria briefly halted the Spin Doctors' slump with a powerful hit that was initially veering out before Jude Garcia's touch kept it in play.
Still, the King Crunchers were unfazed. They methodically closed out the match, winning eight of the next 13 points to all but seal the victory. Savouge managed to save one match point, but Austria's service error ultimately sealed the win for Criss Cross.
The hard-fought victory extended Criss Cross' streak to four, matching Cignal's fiery start in the tournament organized by Sports Vision.
More importantly, it set the stage for a highly anticipated rematch with the HD Spikers on Wednesday in San Juan – where the King Crunchers will need to summon even greater resilience.
Garcia spearheaded the balanced offensive attack for Criss Cross with 22 points on 20 attacks, one ace, and one block. He also posted 15 excellent receptions and five digs in another superb all-around game.
Kim Malabunga and Jaron Requinton each tallied 14 markers.
Glorioso recorded six blocks to finish with 12 points, while Bagalay and Nico Almendras, who also had 24 excellent receptions, had 10 and nine points, respectively, in the two-hour, three-minute victory in the tournament, supported by Arena Plus and Mikasa.
Ish Polvorosa produced a 26-excellent set performance, while Manuel Sumanguid came up with 11 excellent digs as the King Crunchers tied the defending champions and arch rivals HD Spikers at the top of the six-team field.
On the other hand, Savouge slipped to 2-2 and stayed at third.
Giles Torres led the way for the Spin Doctors with 14 points on eight attacks, four blocks, and two service aces, while Sherwin Caritativo and Mark Calado each had 13 points. Caritativo also had 16 excellent receptions.
John Michael Paglaon tossed 21 excellent sets to go along with two points, while Rikko Marmeto registered 22 excellent receptions and four excellent digs.
Savouge looks to bounce back against VNS-Laticrete, also on Wednesday at p.m.