Heartbreaks turned into strength for the patient and resilient Criss Cross.

Refusing to let the crown slip off their hands in their fourth attempt, the King Crunchers turned to their experience — including those sleepless nights of what ifs — and burning desire to be champions.

Despite missing some key personnel, Criss Cross gutted out a heart-pounding, 25-15, 25-21, 23-25, 23-25, 22-20, win over a young and formidable Japanese guest team Kindai University in the winner-take-all final to reign supreme in the 2025 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference on Saturday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

“It’s a great feeling winning our first championship,” said Jude Garcia, whose 35-point effort punctuated the King Crunchers’ redemption story.

“We’ve experienced too many heartbreaks. After three conferences, we finally got the championship. It feels so great.”

Rising above adversity and pulling through even with the absence of Alas Pilipinas standouts Marck Espejo and Kim Malabunga due to national team duties and with main setter Ish Polvorosa sidelined with an injury, made the championship sweeter for the King Crunchers.

Thrice settling for runner-up finishes against archrival Cignal, those setbacks served as fuel for Criss Cross during the mad scramble to the finish line in the super extended fifth set.

The Japanese squad reached the championship point six times, but the unfazed King Crunchers denied the visiting team from finishing them off each time.

Garcia stood tall, breaking through the three-man Kindai wall for the go-ahead kill, 21-20. The Japanese blinked first as Kindai star Haruka Misugi’s crosscourt attack sailed long followed by a deafening explosion of celebration.

For Garcia, what they have achieved was a product of their collective effort.

“Each one of us worked hard for this. The management and the coaching staff never doubted us. They kept their faith and belief in us. They supported us, 100 percent. We’re able to repay their trust with this championship,” Garcia said.

Finally, the King Crunchers are crowned kings.