Jude Garcia and the Criss Cross King Crunchers stretched their win streak to four after sinking the D’Navigators for a share of lead in the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference.
Jude Garcia and the Criss Cross King Crunchers remain unblemished in the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference after dealing the D’Navigators their first defeat, 25-20, 20-25, 32-30, 25-14, at the Paco Arena on Wednesday night.
The King Crunchers hiked their record to 4-0, forging a stalemate atop the standings with defending champions Cignal HD Spikers in prelude of their marquee clash on April 14, Sunday, at the PhilSports Arena.
Garcia showcased his two-way prowess with a game-high 19 points laced with 14 receptions for Criss Cross, which barely showed signs of rust in its first game back from the Holy Week break.
Kim Malabunga and Rex Intal anchored above the net, collecting four blocks apiece. The former finished with 11 markers, while the latter put up eight points.
Pemie Bagalay also made his presence felt with an 11-point, 11-reception double-double effort.
Ish Polvorosa orchestrated the Criss Cross offense to the tune of 18 excellents sets, while captain Ysay Marasigan contributed nine markers.
With the set count knotted at 1-all, momentum swung wildly in the third frame, where both teams engaged in a marathon affair.
D’Navigators managed to pull ahead at 30-29 courtesy of Rash Nursiddik, but Garcia hammered down a kill that brought the two-to-win situation back to square one.
Intal then nailed an off-the-block hit that buoyed Criss Cross at set point before Garcia roofed Francis Saura.
With a deflating finish to the third set, the D’Navigators let open the floodgates in the decisive fourth, allowing the King Crunchers to cruise to a double-digit separation en route to the victory.
Saura poured out 18 points that went down the drain as the D’Navigators fell to 4-1, sharing second place with PGJC-Navy Sea Lions.
Ed Camposano and Deanne De Pedro scored 12 each in the losing cause, while Jayvee Sumagaysay had 11 points.
D’Navigators seek to regain their winning ways when they also take a crack at the HD Spikers on April 17, Wednesday, at the Ynares Sports Arena.