MANILA – Criss Cross bounced back strongly after dropping the first set, defeating the Event Masters 22-25, 25-10, 25-13, 25-15 in Friday’s Spikers’ Turf Open Conference match at the Playtime FilOil Centre.
Jude Garcia starred for the King Crunchers, finishing with 26 points on 19 attacks, five blocks, and two aces, securing his team’s fourth straight win.
“Initially, we were a bit stiff and underestimated our opponents, which gave them the first set,” Garcia explained. “But we followed Coach Tai Bundit’s mantra to stay happy and loosen up, and it really worked for us.”
Alche Gupiteo contributed 12 points with 13 key receptions, while teammates Lloyd Josafat and Jaron Requinton added 11 and 10 points, respectively. Criss Cross held the advantage in attacks (54-38), blocks (8-3), and aces (6-3).
Event Masters’ captain Carl Justin Berdal had 12 points and 15 receptions, but the team fell to their second consecutive defeat, putting their record at 1-3.
Criss Cross will take on fellow unbeaten Savouge on Sunday as the first round of the double-round eliminations comes to a close.
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