Criss Cross got a significant confidence boost ahead of the grueling semifinals, clinching the top seeding with a 25-22, 25-21, 25-22 victory over Savouge at the close of the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference preliminaries at the Filoil EcoOil Centre late Sunday.

The King Crunchers tied their archrivals, Cignal, atop the leaderboard with 8-1 (win-loss) records. However, Criss Cross edged out Cignal for the top spot by virtue of a superior points ratio, positioning the King Crunchers well for the five-team, round-robin semis.

‘This win is very important because we will still be facing each other in the semifinals.’

Nico Almendras dished out his best game yet in a Criss Cross jersey, scoring a game-high 19 points on 15 attacks, three aces and one block in a swift one-hour, 31-minute contest. His outstanding showing helped Criss Cross finish the eliminations on a blistering six-game winning streak.

“This win is very important because we will still be facing each other in the semifinals,” Almendras, a former National University standout, said.

Trailing by a point late in the third set, Criss Cross capitalized on Savouge’s four consecutive reception errors, with Almendras firing two aces to put the Crunchers ahead 22-19.

Savouge briefly regained momentum with conversions from Louis Gamban and Deanne De Pedro. However, Jude Garcia’s back-row attack and Giles Torres’ quick strike kept Criss Cross in control.

A miscommunication on Savouge’s end then paved the way for Francis Saura’s crucial attack, bringing Criss Cross to match point. Gian Glorioso sealed the win with a quick attack.

Ish Polvorosa orchestrated their offense with 19 excellent sets, while Rex Intal chipped in eight points, further showcasing the depth of Criss Cross as they enter the next phase of the competition.

Despite the setback, the Spin Doctors, who finished fourth with a 6-3 mark, proved they can hold their own against top-tier competition, pushing the King Crunchers to the limit in three tightly contested sets. However, crucial errors and misplays ultimately derailed their bid.

As they gear up for the grueling semis starting Wednesday, their immediate focus must be on tightening their game. The stakes are higher now, with the competition set to intensify, especially with the entry of a guest team adding more excitement to the mix.