CRISS Cross stood tall when it mattered most, holding off Savouge to rule the 2026 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference with a 28-26, 25-17, 26-28, 25-23 win in a sudden-death finale on Sunday at the Playtime FilOil Centre.
The King Crunchers survived a tight first set, took control in the second and absorbed a third-set slip before finishing strong in the fourth to secure their second franchise title and first in the Open Conference.
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Kim Malabunga delivered the dagger, scoring on a quick slide before denying Louie Ramirez at match point with a clean block to seal it.
But it was Jude Garcia who again set the tone, firing 27 points to anchor the title clincher en route to his record-extending fifth straight conference MVP award.
Garcia led the conference in scoring with 201 points on 162 attacks, 27 blocks and 12 aces, while also leading in spiking (50.78 percent) and serving (0.27 aces per set).
He added 0.61 blocks and 0.95 digs per set, then averaged 21.0 points in the finals to also claim Finals MVP.
Joining him in the Elite Team were Savouge's Shawie Caritativo and Criss Cross' Alche Gupiteo as best outside spikers, Savouge's JP Bugaoan and Criss Cross' Lloyd Josafat as best middle blockers, Criss Cross' Adrian Villados as best setter and bronze medalist AEP Cabstars' Vince Lorenzo the best libero.
“I had to dig deep. They were ready for everything. After Game 2, I made sure to bounce back," Garcia said in Filipino. "We just held on. Nothing comes easy. Everyone had to contribute.”
Villados orchestrated the offense with 33 excellent sets, including the crucial connection with Malabunga that broke a 23-all deadlock in the fourth.
Noel Kampton added 20 points, while Gupiteo and Malabunga chipped in 12 and 11, respectively. Libero Roy Sumanguid anchored the floor defense with 20 excellent receptions and eight digs.
Savouge pushed the champs to the limit behind Mark Calado and Ramirez, even threatening to extend the match after taking the third and keeping the fourth tight.
But Criss Cross had the last word, just as it has all conference long.
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