Criss Cross' Jaron Requinton goes for a  spike against Cignal HD in Game 2 of the 2025 Spikers' Turf Open Conference Finals, April 4, 2025 at the PhilSports Arena. PVL Media

MANILA (UPDATED) – Criss Cross kept alive its hopes of a breakthrough championship with a hard-fought five-set win against rival Cignal HD, Friday at the PhilSports Arena.

The King Crunchers nearly squandered a two-set deficit, but regained their poise down the stretch for a 25-20, 25-15, 18-25, 22-25, 15-12 triumph in Game 2 of the best-of-3 series.

They even trailed 4-7 in the rubber set, but the Rebisco squad proved to be more composed tonight, rallying to a 11-5 finishing act to complete the five-set win.

Jaron Requinton took the mantle of leading Criss Cross late in Set 5 with consecutive clutch hits for a 13-10 cushion.

Jau Umandal of Cignal then suffered an unfortunate fault -- an overset leading to a botched play that lifted the King Crunchers to match point.

Kim Malabunga fired the deciding blow with a fast hit to wrap up Game Two in their favor.

With the result, the 2025 Spikers' Turf Open Conference is headed to a deciding Game 3 at the same Pasig venue on Sunday.

Jude Garcia led Criss Cross with 25 points, while Nico Almedras and Jaron Requinton each contributed 17 markers -- all banking from the cheers of their sister team, Creamline, which was there to rally behind the King Crunchers.

Creamline's Alyssa Valdez, Bea de Leon, Michele Gumabao, Bernadeth Pons, Tots Carlos, Jema Galanza, Kyle Negrito, and even import Erica Staunton was also there for the King Crunchers.

Cignal HD also had morale support from its women's volleyball team in Gel Cayuna, Roselyn Doria, Ishie Lalongisip, Jackie Acuña, Buding Duremdes, Jovelyn Fernandez, and Cham Cunada.

Umandal paced the with 22 points. Unfortunately he suffered a slight hand injury late in the match.