Expect Criss Cross to go all out and avoid any slip-ups as it battles eliminated UST-Gameville today with a coveted finals berth on the line in the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.

The King Crunchers are heavily favored to hurdle the Golden Spikers in their 1 p.m. matchup, a win that will secure their spot in the championship round and spare them from any tiebreak complications. Criss Cross, Savouge Aesthetics and Kindai University are currently locked in a three-way tie at 3-1, each determined not only to win but to claim a clear path to the finals.

A Criss Cross defeat, however, could breathe life back into Cignal’s fading hopes, potentially creating a triple tie at 3-2. Any deadlock will be settled via match points and set ratio.

But the King Crunchers are leaving nothing to chance. They are expected to unleash their full arsenal against a UST-Gameville squad that has struggled in the semis without its top hitters.

Criss Cross steadied itself after a tough four-set loss to Kindai University, sweeping ProVolley last Monday before escaping Savouge in five sets on Tuesday to force the three-way tie.

Meanwhile, though already out of finals contention, UST-Gameville notched its breakthrough semis victory with a sweep of ProVolley Academy in the tournament organized by Sports Vision.

“We have to train again and find a way how we can prepare against UST. Even if their main gunners are not around, we still need to double our effort,” Criss Cross star Jude Garcia said.

“We can’t afford to be complacent because it’s the only chance for us to make it to the championship.”