One Sports
Monday, February 24, 2025
Kim Malabunga led the Criss Cross King Crunchers to a convincing straight sets win against the Alpha Insurance Protectors in the 2025 Spikers' Turf Open Conference.
Kim Malabunga rallied Criss Cross to a 2-0 start in the 2025 Spikers' Turf Open Conference. | Photo: Spikers' Turf
Kim Malabunga delivered a game-high 17 points, leading the Criss Cross Crunchers to a 25-21, 25-19, 25-21 victory over the Alpha Insurance Protectors, matching the Cignal HD Spikers’ strong start in the 2025 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference on Sunday night at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Malabunga showcased his best performance since recovering from injuries to both ankles, helping the King Crunchers secure their second straight win following a shutout triumph over the VNS Griffins last Friday.
Criss Cross now shares the early lead with arch-rival Cignal in the season-opening tournament organized.
“We trained hard for this because Spikers’ Turf just started, so we really prepared our service and blocking – those were our main focus areas,” said Malabunga, an Alas Pilipinas standout, in Filipino.
With the Protectors threatening to extend the match to a fourth set, Jaron Requinton stepped up, scoring three crucial points in a 4-1 run that gave Criss Cross a 22-18 lead.
Edward Camposano and Malabunga then exchanged hits before Alpha Insurance rallied, trimming the deficit to 21-23 on a Vincent Nadera cross-court attack and a Chu Njigha error. However, Alpha Insurance's comeback hopes faded after a costly service error by Rommelito Baptista and an attack misfire from JJ Javelona, sealing Criss Cross’ straight-set victory.
Reigning MVP Jude Garcia contributed 13 points and recorded 13 excellent receptions, while Requinton followed up his strong start to the season with 10 points. Playmaker Ish Polvorosa orchestrated the offense masterfully, tallying 17 excellent sets.
Criss Cross will aim for a third consecutive win when it faces PGJC-Navy on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Meanwhile, Alpha Insurance remained winless in its Spikers’ Turf debut and will look to bounce back against Savouge on Wednesday at 1 p.m.
Team captain Edward Camposano led the Protectors with 13 points, while Javelona and Ranz Cajolo contributed eight and six points, respectively.