The Criss Cross King Crunchers are opening-day winners in the Spikers' Turf Invitational Conference as well after sinking Navy in four sets.
Criss Cross endured anxious moments before subduing PGJC-Navy, 25-15, 23-25, 25-23, 25-14, to join archrival Cignal and Alpha Insurance atop the standings in the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan on Monday.
The King Crunchers appeared to fall into a false sense of security after cruising through the opening set with ease, only to be caught off guard by the resurgent Sealions in the second frame.
They also struggled to find rhythm in the pivotal third set but managed to regroup, leaning on Marck Espejo and Jude Garcia and defensive grit to edge their rivals in the closing stretch.
Criss Cross finally lived up to expectations in the fourth set, unleashing a barrage of attacks while tightening its floor defense to unleash a telling 10-1 blast that turned a tight 9-8 count into a huge 19-9 bulge, leading to their one-hour and 52-minute victory.
Jaron Requinton led Criss Cross with 17 points on 14 spikes, two aces and a block he laced with nine receptions and seven digs. Five other King Crunchers scored at least seven points apiece to underscore the team’s offensive sock.
“Nire-remind lang din kami ni coach Tai kung ano yung mga ginalaw namin sa Thailand, kung ano yung trinaining namin yun yung iapply namin sa loob ng court kasi nawawala yung composure and happy happy sa loob ng court so yun yung pinapa-remind niya sa amin palagi every timeout,” said Requinton.
Three-time league MVP Garcia led the way with 15 points, Espejo added 11 markers, while new recruit Noel Kampton also made an immediate impact, scoring eight points in just two sets as the King Crunchers showcased their impressive depth in their season-opening match of the league’s season-ending conference, organized by Sports Vision.
Poy Colinares and Kim Malabunga also scored seven points apiece in the win that allowed the King Crunchers to join Super Spikers and the Protectors, who turned back the VNS Griffins and the Savouge Spin Doctors, respectively.
The King Crunchers shoot for their second win against the VNS Griffins at the Paco Arena on Friday.
Greg Dolor paced the Sealions with 19 points while Jhon Robert Raquiza added 14 points. PGJC-Navy will aim to bounce back against UST-Gameville on Wednesday, also at the Paco Arena.
Games are aired live on One Sports and One Sports+, as well as through the Pilipinas Live app, which offers video-on-demand options. Games will also be streamed via spikersturf.ph.