Brimming with confidence, Criss Cross heads into the second round of the 2026 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference aiming not just for another winning start, but for another sweep of the eliminations.
After dominating the first round with a clean sweep, the King Crunchers now shift their focus to sustaining their blistering pace as the rest of the six-team field ramps up efforts to halt their looming rampage in the tournament organized by Sports Vision.
Standing in their way at the start of the next phase is an Alpha Insurance side that appears to be finding its rhythm. The Protectors are coming off back-to-back victories to close out their first round campaign and are eager to extend their run while attempting to derail the King Crunchers in their 5 p.m. showdown at the FilOil Playtime Centre.
But it will take more than determination to stop Criss Cross, led by the ever-consistent Jude Garcia and rookie sensation Alche Gupiteo. Their steady presence on both ends has been instrumental in keeping the King Crunchers sharp throughout their dominant first-round run, capped by a sweep of fellow title contender Savouge Spin Doctors last Sunday.
The team’s depth is further bolstered by wing attackers Noel Kampton, Jaron Requinton and Nico Almendras, all capable of stepping up and delivering at crucial moments.
What truly makes Criss Cross formidable is its imposing frontline, arguably the league’s most dominant middle rotation. Lloyd Josafat, Kim Malabunga, Gian Glorioso and Poy Colinares form the core that provides a strong wall at the net on both offense and defense.
On the defensive end, the King Crunchers are also among the league’s best, anchored by liberos John Pepito and Menard Guerrero.
At the center of it all is setter Adrian Villados, who has been orchestrating Criss Cross’ attack with remarkable precision while ensuring the offense flows with rhythm and balance.
“Sa’min po ngayon is one game at a time lang. ‘Yung standings, wala naman ‘yun. Focus muna kami sa next game namin, and tuloy lang sa training,” said Villados.
Still, the Protectors enter the match with renewed fire after closing the first phase with victories over VNS and 3B, finishing solo third with a 3-2 record behind Savouge’s 4-1 slate.
Their late surge has injected confidence and momentum into the squad, signaling they are ready to test the King Crunchers’ unbeaten run and potentially shake up the top of the standings.
Leading the charge for Alpha Insurance is the trio of Cian Silang, Jau Umandal and JM Ronquillo, who have been given the freedom to dictate the flow of the game. With their combined firepower, the Protectors look every bit the contender they appear to be on paper – a team capable of denting Criss Cross’ seemingly impenetrable armor.
Backing them up is a seasoned supporting cast in Reymund Sabanal, Edward Camposano, Jeff Abuniawan and Jhon Takeda, whose experience and versatility provide the depth needed to sustain pressure throughout the match.
At 3 p.m., struggling squads 3B and VNS Always Bright Laticrete face off in a crucial matchup, each hoping to secure a much-needed win to keep their flickering semifinal hopes alive.
The Event Masters, looking to snap a three-game skid and improve their 1-4 record, will lean on Carl Berdal and Israel Encina as they begin their final push in the tournament backed by Alpha Insurance, Arena Plus, Black Mamba and Premier EMS.
Meanwhile, the Griffins remain winless after five games and have nowhere to go but up. Terrence Marticion and Winfred Santos are expected to lead the charge as they try to capitalize on their opponent’s struggles and finally break into the win column.
