Camille Naredo

Jaron Requinton of Criss Cross in action against Cignal HD in the semifinals of the 2025 Spikers' Turf Open Conference, March 30, 2025 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. PVL Media

Jaron Requinton of Criss Cross in action against Cignal HD in the semifinals of the 2025 Spikers' Turf Open Conference, March 30, 2025 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum

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Spikers' Turf

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<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1743349650529ST 2025 Criss Cross vs. Cignal - Ish Polvorosa-6981.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="The Criss Cross King Crunchers celebrate a point against Cignal HD in the semifinals of the 2025 Spikers&#x27; Turf Open Conference, March 30, 2025 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. PVL Media"/>The Criss Cross King Crunchers celebrate against Cignal HD in the semifinals of the 2025 Spikers&#x27; Turf Open Conference, March 30, 2025 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. PVL Media</div>MANILA -- Criss Cross will be armed with plenty of momentum in the finals of the 2025 Spikers&#x27; Turf Open Conference.This, after the King Crunchers claimed another win against rival Cignal HD, 25-27, 25-21, 25-21, 26-24, in the tournament semifinals on Sunday night at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.Criss Cross completed a sweep of the single round-robin semifinals and has now won all 13 of its assignments this conference. That includes three victories over the HD Spikers -- the same team they will play in a best-of-3 championship series starting on Wednesday.After dropping a thrilling opening set, Criss Cross regrouped and reasserted its dominance. They took the second set convincingly, then erased an early four-point deficit in the pivotal third with a decisive mid-set surge to seize control.In an intense fourth set, the King Crunchers surged ahead late to seal the victory and close out the semis phase.Though they have had Cignal HD&#x27;s number in the conference, Criss Cross setter Ish Polvorosa said they will adopt a &quot;back to zero&quot; mentality in the finals, where they are seeking for their first title in the league.The fourth set was an intense, back-and-forth showdown punctuated by fiery staredowns – before the King Crunchers surged ahead late, sealing the victory and closing out the single-round semifinal phase at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.&quot;Kami, these 13 games, they are all erased. I do not care what happened in the last 13 games. I am looking forward and very focused on the fact that we are going to the finals. Yung two or three games na &#x27;yon sa Finals, &#x27;yon talaga yung pinakaimportante,&quot; said Polvorosa, who registered 27 excellent sets in the two-hour, eight-minute triumph.&quot;It all boils down there. We&#x27;re gonna take it one game and one day at a time. Yung ganoong mindset, I think doon kami makakakuha ng progress to our goal of winning the championship,&quot; he added.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/volleyball/2025/3/30/spikers-turf-savouge-turns-back-vns-anew-ahead-of-bronze-medal-series-2306">READ: Savouge turns back VNS anew ahead of bronze medal series</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/volleyball/2025/3/26/spikers-turf-cignal-cruises-past-savouge-sets-up-finals-showdown-vs-criss-cross-0039">READ: Cignal cruises past Savouge, sets up Finals showdown vs. Criss Cross</a></div>Though billed as a non-bearing match, with both teams already securing finals berths last week, the King Crunchers and the HD Spikers still battled as if the championship was on the line. In the end, the outcome mirrored their previous two encounters, with Criss Cross once again prevailing. The King Crunchers now march into the finals with a flawless 13-0 record, while Cignal settled for a 10-3 slate.In the fourth set, the King Crunchers held their ground against consecutive down-the-line strikes from Steven Rotter that broke a 21-all deadlock. Responding with a powerful crosscourt hit and a crucial block from Nico Almendras, they edged closer to victory at 24-23.However, a critical service error by Polvorosa pushed the set into extended play. Jaron Requinton then stepped up, delivering a precise down-the-line attack to reclaim the lead for the King Crunchers.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1743349697208ST 2025 Criss Cross vs. Cignal - Jaron Requinton-6928.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Jaron Requinton of Criss Cross in action against Cignal HD in the semifinals of the 2025 Spikers&#x27; Turf Open Conference, March 30, 2025 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. PVL Media"/>Jaron Requinton of Criss Cross in action against Cignal HD in the semifinals of the 2025 Spikers&#x27; Turf Open Conference, March 30, 2025 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. PVL Media</div>The match reached a dramatic climax when referees initially ruled HD Spiker JP Bugaoan&#x27;s quick attack as inside in the ensuing play. A ball-in/ball-out challenge by Criss Cross overturned the call, awarding the point to the King Crunchers.Cignal attempted a block touch challenge in a last-ditch effort, but the referees upheld their decision, sealing a hard-fought victory for the King Crunchers.&quot;I think &#x27;yon lang yung nagsuccess today for us -- the momentum and the pride -- parang tune-up game lang siya and nagbasahan lang kami kung paano kami makakapaglaro and makakapagprepare for the finals. But it is still important that we won today kasi yung pride, honor, and momentum nga dala namin for the finals,&quot; Polvorosa added. Though Japan League veteran Marck Espejo saw limited action, his teammates rose to the occasion, fueled by Polvorosa&#x27;s steady playmaking. His orchestration enabled three Criss Cross players to score in double figures, with Jude Garcia leading the charge with 19 points off 17 attacks and two blocks, along with six excellent digs. Almendras and Jaron Requinton provided ample support, contributing 15 and 14 points, respectively.Gian Glorioso and Kim Malabunga chipped in nine points each for the King Crunchers. On the other side, the HD Spikers concluded the semis with a 2-1 win-loss card. Rotter scored 18 points, including 17 attacks, while Wendel Miguel contributed 13 points on 10 attacks and three blocks with six excellent digs. Lloyd Josafat added 11 points.Despite being benched for EJ Casana for majority of the third set and the entirety of the fourth frame, Joshua Retamar still dished out 16 excellent sets.

Criss Cross has now beaten Cignal HD three times this conference 👀 #SpikersTurf

Criss Cross has now beaten Cignal HD three times this conference 👀 #SpikersTurf

Spikers' Turf: Criss Cross beats Cignal HD again, sweeps semis

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Spikers' Turf: Criss Cross beats Cignal HD again, sweeps semis

ABS-CBN News

Published March 30, 2025 11:50 PM PHT

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