The 2025 Invitational Finals MVP Adrian Villados orchestrated the Criss Cross King Crunchers offense to swep the Alpha Insurance Protectors in the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference.
Adrian Villados turned Criss Cross into a well-oiled, unpredictable machine as the King Crunchers swept the Alpha Insurance Protectors, 25-19, 25-20, 25-20, to remain unbeaten in the 2026 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference on Friday at the Filoil Playtime Centre in San Juan.
Villados, the 2025 Invitational Finals MVP, orchestrated the offense with 16 excellent sets, spreading the ball efficiently and keeping the Protectors guessing all match long. His steady playmaking paved the way for four King Crunchers to finish in double figures, making it difficult for Alpha Insurance to establish a consistent defensive rhythm.
“So far sa performance namin ngayon, maayos naman pero may kaunting mistakes pa pero pagtatrabahuhan namin yun,” said Villados after Criss Cross improved to 2-0 and seized early solo control of the league organized by Sports Vision and supported by Alpha Insurance, Black Mamba, Premiere EMS, and ArenaPlus.
He also scored two points.
While the King Crunchers dominated the opening frame, the Protectors showed grit in the second and third sets, keeping the contest tight and threatening to extend the match.
New Alpha Insurance spiker Jau Umandal sparked a late push in the third, unleashing a personal 3-1 run to trim the deficit to 20-19.
But just as momentum began to shift, Umandal committed a costly service error that stalled their rally.
Poy Colinares and Jaron Requinton then delivered timely hits down the stretch as Criss Cross capitalized on Alpha’s late miscues to complete the 74-minute victory.
Alche Gupiteo and Noel Kampton top-scored for Criss Cross with 12 points each with 15 and six excellent receptions, respectively.
Newly-added middle blocker Lloyd Josafat also made his presence felt with 11 points, including four of the team’s eight blocks while four-time league MVP Jude Garcia also delivered 11 points in the quick win that saw the King Crunchers commit just 13 errors.
“Maganda ‘yung ipinapakitang performance ni Josafat at Gupiteo and dahil doon, mas maganda ‘yung nagiging ball distribution ko sa mga spikers ko,” said Villados.
Umandal paced the Protectors with 12 points and eight excellent receptions while JM Ronquillo added 10 points in the loss that evened their record to 1-1.
Criss Cross will look to make it three wins in a row when it battles AEP Cabstars on Sunday at 1 p.m. at the same venue.
Meanwhile, Alpha Insurance will aim to rediscover its winning form later in the day at 5 p.m. against Savouge.