CRISS CROSS King Crunchers captured their maiden Spikers’ Turf championship in dramatic fashion, surviving Japanese guest team Kindai University in a five-set classic, 25-15, 25-21, 23-25, 23-25, 22-20, in the 2025 Invitational Conference finals on Saturday at the Playtime FilOil Centre in San Juan.
The King Crunchers, who were swept by the same squad in the semifinals, showed poise under immense pressure as they outdueled the Japanese side in an extended deciding set to complete their breakthrough championship run in just their second year in the league.
Jude Garcia spearheaded Criss Cross with a dominant 35-point explosion, while newcomers Paul Colinares and Noel Kampton chipped in 15 and 13 markers, respectively, to help seal the crown. The victory was even more impressive as Criss Cross played without stars Marck Espejo, Eco Adajar, and Kim Malabunga, who are training with Alas Pilipinas for the 33rd Southeast Asian Games.
The championship marks the franchise’s first Spikers’ Turf title since debuting in the 2024 Open Conference.
In the bronze-medal match, Cignal Super Spikers kept their podium streak alive with a 25-18, 17-25, 23-25, 25-19, 15-12 win over the Savouge Spin Doctors.
Co-captain Wendell Miguel earned Player of the Game honors after firing 21 points built on 20 attacks and an ace. Vince Maglinao and Steven Rotter contributed 12 points each, while brothers JP and Martin Bugaoan tallied 10 apiece.
Tied at 11 in the fifth set, Cignal unleashed a decisive three-point burst highlighted by a Rotter service ace. Savouge momentarily broke the run, but Maglinao delivered the off-the-block finisher to clinch the bronze—extending Cignal’s podium streak to 16 straight conferences dating back to 2018./PN
