Reporting note: this article draws on tiebreakertimes.com.ph; LodiScore provides the summary and editorial framing.
Noel Kampton redemption completes five-set comeback
Noel Kampton redemption defined Criss Cross’ 22-25, 18-25, 25-16, 25-22, 16-14 victory over Savouge at the Filoil EcoOil Centre on Wednesday night in the 2026 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference. The King Crunchers lost the first two sets, then won the next three to complete a reverse sweep and improve to 2-0. Kampton, a 26-year-old winger, finished with 15 points in a match that lasted two hours and three minutes. The result extended Criss Cross’ winning streak to two games.
The fifth set turned on a review that initially appeared to give Criss Cross the win. Kampton had put his team at match point, 14-12, with a cross-court hit, but Hero Austria saved one for Savouge. Kampton then seemed to close it with another kill and crossed the court to celebrate with the Criss Cross faithful, but the celebration was short-lived. Savouge challenged for a possible centerline violation, and the review instead caught Kampton committing the infraction, wiping out the point and making it 14-all.
Fifth-set review overturns Kampton point
Kampton responded with a down-the-line hit to restore match point. Lloyd Josafat then delivered an emphatic block on JP Bugaoan to seal the comeback. Kampton celebrated again after the winning block, drawing the ire of some Savouge players. He later apologized and said his reaction was not directed at his opponents but came from frustration over the earlier call. He said he was simply caught up in the moment.
“First of all, credit to Savouge because in the first and second sets we struggled because their serve was so good. Savouge really studied us. That was just the emotions of the fifth set. I’m sorry again.”
Kampton also said it was the first time in his career he had played a fifth set with a chance to complete a reverse sweep. He described the moment as mixed emotions and acknowledged his own mistake on the violation. He said the frustration came because the ball had already dropped but the call still stood, and he accepted it as part of the sport.
Jude Garcia leads Criss Cross scoring balance
Jude Garcia led Criss Cross with 25 points on 21 attacks, three aces, and one kill block. Newcomers Amil Pacinio and Ariel Cacao, who both started in the final three sets, also stepped up. Pacinio finished with 13 points on 10 attacks and three blocks, while Cacao tallied 22 excellent sets and three points.
The win moved Criss Cross into a three-way tie atop the standings with Far Eastern University-DN Steel and ClearSkiiin at 2-0. The tournament is organized by Sports Vision. Criss Cross will try to extend its winning streak to three games against Alpha Insurance on Sunday at 5 p.m. at the same venue.
Savouge winless despite Calado’s 27 points
Savouge, a revamped side, dropped its first two games of the conference. Mark Calado paced the Spin Doctors with 27 points on 25 attacks, one ace, and one block in the losing effort, while Louie Ramirez added 20 points. Cian Silang dished out 30 excellent sets and added five excellent receptions. Vince Lorenzo recorded 27 excellent receptions and 10 excellent digs.
Savouge will look for its first win against 3B on Sunday at 1 p.m. The Spin Doctors’ 0-2 start leaves them chasing the early leaders in the Invitational Conference.
Criss Cross early lead and Savouge’s 0-2 start
Criss Cross’ reverse sweep keeps it unbeaten and tied for the early lead, while Savouge remains without a win. The match also showed how a single review can change a fifth set: Kampton’s overturned point turned a potential match-ending celebration into a 14-all deadlock before he and Josafat closed it out.
The original report was published by tiebreakertimes.com.ph.
