Criss Cross and Cignal both need just one more win against separate opponents to forge another title showdown in the Spikers' Turf Open Conference.
Cignal and Criss Cross have their sights set on more than just defeating their respective semifinal opponents – they aim to set up yet another highly-anticipated showdown for the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference crown.
After securing convincing victories in their first semis matches, the King Crunchers and HD Spikers need just one more win Wednesday to advance to their third-straight Finals duel.
However, neither team is underestimating their opponents, knowing that VNS and Savouge are determined to bounce back and keep their championship hopes alive.
Coming off a dominant 25-13, 25-16, 25-15 sweep of VNS, Cignal faces a tougher challenge in Savouge, a team eager to rebound after a shutout loss to the King Crunchers. Savouge showed resilience in the double-round eliminations, dragging Criss Cross to two grueling five-setters.
“I know they’re feeling down after losing in straight sets to Criss Cross, but for us, we’re coming into this game with great confidence. I hope we can maintain our morale and carry that momentum from the very start,” said Cignal head coach Dexter Clamor in Filipino.
Clamor has been rotating his roster throughout the tournament but stuck with his core trio – Steven Rotter, Louie Ramirez, and Wendel Miguel – against the Griffins. He is expected to do the same in this crucial match against Savouge.
“The good thing is we get to rest before facing Savouge. We've had back-to-back training and matches, so we'll take a break, then train on Tuesday to prepare,” he added.
The Spin Doctors, who face Cignal in the 6 p.m. match at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum, will rely heavily on their trio of Mark Calado, Shawie Caritativo and Madz Gampong to keep their Finals hopes alive.
After struggling to close out crucial sets against top-tier teams, they must find a way to maintain composure in high-pressure situations.
In their last encounter on March 12, Savouge took a 2-1 set lead against Cignal before the HD Spikers leaned on their experience to stage a comeback and secure a five-set victory. This time, Savouge will be hungry to finish the job and force a decider.
Meanwhile, the King Crunchers will attempt to reaffirm their dominance over VNS in their 3:30 p.m. clash. With a 12-game winning streak on the line, Criss Cross is determined to keep its perfect record intact.
The return of ace spiker Marck Espejo has made the Crunchers even more formidable, joining forces with reigning MVP Jude Garcia, Jaron Requinton, and Nico Almendras. However, Garcia remains wary of the Griffins’ hunger.
“We're not underestimating them at all. They worked hard to get to the semifinals, and we know they will give everything they have. That means we have to match their effort and give our 100 percent,” said Garcia in Filipino.
On the other hand, VNS will lean on CJ Segui, KC Culabat and Rash Nursiddik as they fight to extend their tournament run.