Noel Kampton and the Criss Cross King Crunchers survive a five-setter with the FEU-DN Steel Tamaraws to secure the first semis berth in the Spikers' Turf.
Experience triumphed over youth as Criss Cross withstood FEU-DN Steel’s fearless challenge in a gripping five-set battle, 22-25, 25-21, 25-16, 21-25, 17-15, to claim the first semifinals berth in the 2025 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference on Wednesday at the Paco Arena.
After falling short of a four-set finish, the battle-tested King Crunchers withstood a surge of youthful energy from the Tamaraws, prevailing in a tense fifth set to extend their flawless run to a league-best 5-0 record.
Three-time MVP Jude Garcia took charge against his alma mater, firing 24 points on 21 attacks, two kill blocks, and one ace to go along with nine excellent digs, while rookie Noel Kampton registered 22 points on 19 attacks and three kill blocks along with 16 excellent receptions.
“‘Yung first set nag-relax kami,” Kampton admitted, as the team suffered a slow start before regaining their rhythm in the next two sets. “Feeling ko lang ‘to, feeling ko syempre college team eh, tingin namin nasa (semi-pro) kami, kaya namin sila.”
“But sorry kasi nagkamali kami. Knowing FEU, ano talaga sila eh, they worked hard to earn the win. Ayun, happy naman ako kasi nanalo kami,” he added.
The fifth set proved to be a nail-biter from start to finish, with Criss Cross reaching match point first after Mikko Espartero committed a costly service error, putting the Rebisco-backed squad ahead 14-13.
But the Tamaraws weren’t done yet. Kampton, aiming to seize the win, unleashed a thunderous jump serve that clanged off the net, only for Lirick Mendoza to soar for a massive block on Jaron Requinton as FEU-DN Steel turned the tables around and wrested a 15-14 lead.
Garcia, though, tied things up at 15 with a searing cross-court attack. Adrian Villados then hammered a floating ball before Poy Colinares roofed Kyle Tandoc to help the King Crunchers survive and eliminate the Tamaraws from contention in the tournament organized by Sports Vision and backed by Alpha Insurance, Premiere EMS, Buffalo’s Wings N’ Things, and Arena Plus.
Villados continued to impress with 31 excellent sets to go along with two points for Criss Cross.
Requinton posted 15 points on 10 attacks, four blocks, and one ace, while Colinares tallied 11 markers.
The King Crunchers aim to extend their winning streak to six games when they take on the red-hot University of Santo Tomas-Gameville Golden Spikers on Friday, 1 p.m. at the same venue.
FEU-DN Steel bowed out of contention with a 1-4 record and will face VNS, also on Friday at 10 a.m.
Dryx Saavedra led the way for the Tamaraws with 25 points, while Mendoza and Espartero added 17 and 16 points, respectively.
Games are aired live on One Sports and One Sports+, with video-on-demand access available via the Pilipinas Live app. Matches are also streamed on spikersturf.ph.
(With reports from Jamie Velasco/One Sports Digital)