Cignal HD's Jau Umandal soars for a spike against Criss Cross in Game 1 of the 2025 Spikers' Turf Open Conference Finals, April 2, 2025 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. PVL Media

MANILA -- Cignal HD broke through against Criss Cross in the best possible time.

After dropping all their previous encounters against the King Crunchers in the 2025 Spikers' Turf Open Conference, the HD Spikers turned the tables in Game 1 of the Finals on Wednesday night at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Cignal HD overturned a 1-2 set deficit to stun the King Crunchers, 22-25, 25-19, 22-25, 25-21, 15-12, and take a huge step towards successfully defending their crown.

Jau Umandal took charge in the fifth and deciding frame, finishing with 19 points to earn Player of the Game honors after a two-hour, 16-minute marathon.

Cignal HD nearly squandered a 5-1 lead in the decider but Umandal came through with several clutch plays, including a two-handed push that eluded two Criss Cross blockers and brought the HD Spikers to match point.

"We just went back to our goal, to our purpose as a team," said Umandal in Filipino. "We didn't beat them in any of our three previous matches, so we really set our sights on winning in the finals."

READ: Criss Cross beats Cignal HD again, sweeps semis

The loss was a bitter pill to swallow for the King Crunchers, who won all 13 of their previous matches -- including three victories over the HD Spikers.

Criss Cross erased a four-point deficit in the fifth set, with Nico Almendras bringing them within two points, 9-11. His performance energized the rest of the King Crunchers: Jude Garcia blocked Steven Rotter, and Mark Espejo followed with a kill, leveling the score at 11 and setting the stage for a nervy finish.

Umandal came to the rescue for Cignal, responding with an off-the-block hit. Espejo answered with his own attack for another deadlock, before Umandal nailed back-to-back hits -- a thunderous kill and the crafty push that caught the King Crunchers off guard.

Criss Cross pushed for a side out, but reigning Most Valuable Player Garcia committed a costly attack error that sealed the win -- and the 1-0 series lead -- for Cignal HD.

Cignal HD celebrates a point against Criss Cross in Game 1 of the 2025 Spikers' Turf Open Conference Finals, April 2, 2025 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. PVL Media

"That's very commendable—the heart, the fight. Because in terms of skills, we're almost the same. They might even have the edge, but I think we had the bigger heart, the champion spirit within us," said Cignal head coach Dexter Clamor.

Middle blocker JP Bugaoan, who suffered from cramps in the fourth and missed the entire decider also delivered a strong performance with 16 points, while Rotter contributed 13 markers. Miguel, Lloyd Josafat and Martin Bugaoan chipped in nine, seven and six points, respectively, rounding out a well-balanced effort for the HD Spikers.

On the other side, Garcia led Criss Cross with a game-high 21 points, followed by Espejo with 15. Almendras added 13 markers, while Kim Malabunga tallied 10.

The match was an intense, neck-and-neck battle, with Criss Cross narrowly edging out Cignal in attacks, 64-63. Both teams registered nine kill blocks, underscoring their defensive resilience.

However, the HD Spikers gained a slight edge in serving, recording four aces – three more than their opponents. More importantly, they capitalized on their rivals' miscues, scoring 33 free points off unforced errors, five more than they gave away.

Cignal HD can clinch another crown over Criss Cross on Friday at the PhilSports Arena.