Cignal, Criss Cross clash in Sunday thriller

It’s a post-Halloween treat fans won’t want to miss — a Sunday night thriller featuring bitter rivals Cignal and Criss Cross in the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

Their 6 p.m. duel isn’t just another marquee matchup — it’s a showdown of power, pride and proven pedigree, a battle between two powerhouse teams whose rivalry has defined the league’s recent history.

Before the headline act, volleyball fans are in for a triple-header treat as Alpha Insurance squares off against V-League champion FEU-DN Steel at 2 p.m., while UST-Gameville battles VNS at 4 p.m.

Still, fans eagerly await the main event where rivalry, revenge and resolve will take centerstage.

Both squads have swept their first two assignments, setting the stage for an explosive encounter that could set the tone for the rest of the tournament organized by Sports Vision.

There’s no denying the edge Cignal holds in this matchup. The Super Spikers have bested the King Crunchers in the last three conference finals, cementing their status as the gold standard in men’s volleyball.

But that also fuels Criss Cross’ fire — and tonight, redemption is the word.

Coach Tai Bundit’s squad indeed looks menacing on paper. Led by a dynamic frontline of Marck Espejo, Jaron Requinton, Jude Garcia, Ysay Marasigan and Noel Kampton, with Adrian Villados orchestrating the offense, the King Crunchers have shown both firepower and balance in dominating the VNS Griffins and overpowering the PGJC-Navy Sealions.

Cignal’s experience remains its greatest weapon. Coach Dexter Clamor knows his crew — led by Wendel Miguel, JM Ronquillo, Martin and JP Bugaoan, Joshua Umandal, Jared Schnake, Steven Rotter and playmaker EJ Casana — thrives when the stakes are highest. Their signature chemistry and composure under pressure have carried them to multiple titles.

Cignal didn’t have the smoothest of starts, needing to claw back from a 1-2 set deficit and a 3-6 hole in the decider against the Alpha Insurance Protectors — a performance that didn’t sit well with Clamor. But the defending champions quickly regrouped, blasting past the Griffins in four sets in their next outing to reclaim their intimidating form.

“I hope in our next game, which is against Criss Cross, we’ll develop our solid chemistry and perform well,” Clamor said.

Criss Cross, meanwhile, has looked more dominant so far, sweeping its opening match against the Griffins before cruising past PGJC-Navy. 

Yet, against Cignal, statistics often go out the window. The Super Spikers’ poise and system have time and again neutralized even the most stacked rosters.