Spikers’ Turf: King Crunchers cruise past Cabstars to stay unbeaten

MANILA — Criss Cross rested some key players but still had little trouble in a 25-15, 25-12, 25-20 sweep of AEP-Cabstars in the 2026 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference on Sunday at the Filoil Centre.

Noel Kampton, Amil Pacinio, Manuel Sumanguid, and Lloyd Josafat were all on the bench but the King Crunchers’ bench stepped up in their fifth straight victory. 

Leading the charge was Francis Saura, who tallied a game-high 13 points on 10 attacks, two blocks, and an ace in the 71-minute victory. Jude Garcia chipped in 11 points on seven attacks, three blocks, and one ace.

Criss Cross celebrates a point against AEP-Cabstars in the 2026 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference, November 8, 2026 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan. PVL Media“Masaya ako sa nagawa ng team namin. Nanalo kami ngayon kasi as much as possible, sinusunod namin ‘yung sistema ni Coach Tai (Bundit), which is maganda naman ‘yung resulta,” said Saura.

“That’s why nag-5-0 kami sa awa rin ng Diyos, so talagang sumusunod lang kami sa sistema ni coach Tai,” he added.

Lucca Mamone and Poy Colinares also stepped up with seven points apiece, while Nico Almendras contributed five. Jaron Requinton, Rex Intal, and Kennedy Batas added three points each.

Adrian Villados, who was coming off a 38-set performance against National University-Archipelago Builders, dished out 18 excellent sets against the Cabstars.

Criss Cross also showcased its efficiency, committing just nine errors while capitalizing on AEP-Cabstars’ 22 miscues to complete the sweep.

The King Crunchers dominated across the board, outscoring the Cabstars in attacks, 39-31, blocks, 11-5, and service aces, 3-2.

Criss Cross will shoot for its sixth consecutive victory against ClearSkiiin on Wednesday at 5 p.m. at the same venue.

Meanwhile, AEP-Cabstars absorbed its second straight defeat to fall to 1-4, remaining ninth in the standings.

Dave Lardizabal was the lone double-digit scorer for the Cabstars with 10 points, while John Santiagudo and Leo Aringo added eight and six points, respectively, in the loss.

AEP-Cabstars will look to return to the winning column against NU on Wednesday at 1 p.m.