Spikers' Turf: Gupiteo shines in debut as Crisso Cross sweeps VNS

MANILA, February 26 ------ Newcomer Alche Gupiteo shone for Criss Cross in their comprehensive 25-17, 25-15, 25-17 sweep of VNS Always Bright Laticrete for a strong start to their campaign in the 2026 Spikers' Turf Open Conference.

Gupiteo fired a game-high 11 points on top of eight excellent receptions, while four-time Most Valuable Player Jude Garcia matched him with 11 points and six digs, as the King Crunchers opened their bid for back-to-back titles at the FilOil Centre in San Juan. "First, I'm very blessed kasi kinuha ako nila," said Gupiteo, a former beach volleyball star from the University of Santo Tomas. "Thankful kasi maganda 'yung laro. Syempre kinakabahan kasi first Spikers' Turf ko 'to." "Actually, nagtiwala lang talaga ako sa coaching staff, sa mga kuya, sa managers, that's why na-boost 'yung confidence ko to perform," he added.

Lloyd Josafat, who transferred to the squad from Cignal, came through with nine markers in a two-set stint on five attacks, four kill blocks, and one ace, while Noel Kampton and Jaron Requinton added eight and six points, respectively. Adrian Villados, who started the first two sets before coming off the bench in the third, orchestrated their offense and registered 12 excellent sets while adding one point to his tally.

Criss Cross had a 38-28 advantage in kills while putting up a wall at the net to the tune of 15 blocks. They completed the win in just 67 minutes. The King Crunchers will go for back-to-back wins against the Protectors on Friday, 5 p.m. at the same venue. Terrence Marticion and Michael Joshua Balintag paced VNS with eight and seven points, respectively. The Griffins, meanwhile, seek to get their campaign going when they take on the AEP-Cabstars, also on Friday at 3 p.m.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com