Criss Cross stars relish Spikers’ Turf’s Big Dome stint
They’re not there yet, not quite.
But for the standouts of Spikers’ Turf, the country’s lone men’s volleyball league, the baby steps headed in that direction are a great place to start.
Playing at Smart Araneta Coliseum for the first time in league history proved that men’s volleyball is building on the momentum created by its historic participation in the recent men’s volleyball championship, where the national team stole the hearts of adoring volleyball fans.
“It’s a big level-up for men’s volleyball in the Philippines and I hope the fans continue supporting us,” Criss Cross star Jude Garcia, a three-conference MVP, said.
It’s not the first time male volleyball players have stepped on the Big Dome hardcourt. Garcia, in fact, played at the historic arena during his UAAP days with Far Eastern University. However, those games were merely tacked on to the UAAP season, as men’s basketball and women’s volleyball are the primary reasons the arena opens its doors to the prestigious varsity show.
This time, it was solely for Spikers’ Turf.
“This kind of opportunity means a lot for men’s volleyball. If the support keeps coming, the sport will really rise in the country,” Garcia said.
Jaron Requinton, Garcia’s teammate, believes that there’s still a long way to go for men’s volleyball to be an established part of Filipino sports fans’ viewing menu.
In fact, he believes that some of the fans were there in response to a call by PVL players—who took time to catch the Spikers’ Turf games—to support the men’s tournament.
“I think that was a big factor in why a lot of people watched,” Requinton said. “They helped invite people to watch men’s volleyball, and it’s great to see women’s volleyball players supporting the men’s side, too. It really helps the volleyball industry grow in the Philippines.”
Garcia and Requinton led the King Crunchers past the defending champion Cignal Super Spikers in a five-set thriller, 26-24, 22-25, 25-22, 24-26, 15-12, to start the semifinal round-robin on a high note.
Garcia unleashed 28 points in the victory and the star spiker vows to keep doing his best to raise the level of their sport.
“I hope this is just the beginning. Everyone will keep working hard, and we’ll keep doing our part to help men’s volleyball grow in the Philippines,” Garcia said.
Along with PVL players from Creamline, Cignal and Akari, volleyball fans were thrilled by the match between two men’s powerhouses and Requinton hopes for this kind of reception to be the norm in Spikers’ Turf.
“The fans who watched today were overwhelming and that made it even more exciting, not just for me but for all the players. The support for Philippine men’s volleyball is amazing,” Requinton said.
