King Crunchers Crush D’Navigators in Spikers’ Turf showdown

In an exhilarating match at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig on Sunday night, October 27, the King Crunchers showcased their dominance with a decisive victory over the D’Navigators Iloilo. The match ended with scores of 25-18, 25-14, and 25-16, propelling the King Crunchers to solo third place in the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference eliminations. They now trail only the unbeaten leaders, Savouge and DN Steel-FEU.

A Block Party to Remember

The highlight of the match was the imposing performance of the King Crunchers’ middle blocker duo, Gian Glorioso and Rex Intal, who collectively contributed to an impressive 19 blocks. The team completed the match in just one hour and 24 minutes, continuing the momentum from their previous victory against the VNS Griffins (25-14, 25-15, 25-15) on October 16. This solid performance keeps Criss Cross in close competition with the top-seeded Spin Doctors and Ultras, both of whom maintain perfect 3-0 records.

Stellar Individual Performances

Gian Glorioso, a former standout at Ateneo, led the charge with a game-high 14 points, which included eight blocks and six attacks. Reflecting on the team’s performance, Glorioso stated, “Overall, I think it was a good performance. Obviously, we have some areas to improve on. I would say it’s a collective effort every win.”

His teammate, rookie outside spiker Nico Almendras, and Open Conference MVP Jude Garcia each added 13 points, with Garcia also contributing 10 excellent receptions. Team captain Ysay Marasigan added eight points and six digs, while Intal anchored the defense with six points and five blocks.

Setter Ish Polvorosa demonstrated exceptional playmaking with 13 excellent sets and four points, while libero John Pepito recorded nine digs and five excellent receptions.

Upcoming Match and Future Challenges

With this victory, the King Crunchers set their sights on a highly anticipated matchup against archrival Cignal next Sunday at 6 p.m. at the Philsports Arena. This match promises to be a thrilling encounter as both teams vie for supremacy in the tournament, supported by ArenaPlus, Mikasa, and Alpha Insurance & Surety Company.

On the other side, the D’Navigators faced their second consecutive loss, bringing their record to 1-2. Despite Madz Gampong leading the team with 11 points, the lack of consistent support from teammates like Edward Camposano and Vince Himzon (who scored seven and six points, respectively) proved costly. The D’Navigators will aim to rebound in their upcoming match against the PGJC-Navy Sealions on Wednesday at 4 p.m.