Team Power owns first-ever Spikers’ Turf All-Star victory
CANDON—Sydney Calderon, from Spikers’ Turf Open Conference runner-up Savouge, was thrilled to win the Volleyball All-Star Showcase with Team Power that was bannered by the core of the very team that frustrated her side just this past month in a gripping three-game finale.
“After our loss to Criss Cross, we told each other: ‘let’s win this one for coach Sydney. Hopefully, we made her happy,” said Noel Kampton in Filipino after emerging as MVP with 14 points off a 13-of-22 attacking clip and a block in a 25-18, 25-18, 21-25, 25-23 victory over Tai Bundit’s Team Passion on Friday at the Candon City Arena.
Five-time Spikers’ Turf MVP Jude Garcia relished the opportunity to play under their rival coach and, more importantly, prove that Spikers’ Turf deserved to hold an All-Star spectacle like this alongside the glamorous women stars of the Premier Volleyball League.
“I’m really happy because you can see how much the fans support volleyball, not just women’s, but men’s too,” Garcia said. “I’m very thankful to Candon for hosting the All-Star.
“It feels great. We struggled a bit with our set plays, but with more preparation, we could’ve executed it close to perfect,” Garcia went on. “I’m also thankful I got to play under coach Sydney.”
Calderon may have fallen short of winning the Spikers’ Turf for Savouge, but winning the first All-Star game will continue to inspire her in developing and supporting Philippine men’s volleyball.
“Winning feels really good, being champions [in the All-Star game] is something else,” Calderon said. “I’m very grateful to Team Power because everyone really put in the effort. I coached them the same way I coach Savouge—no pressure, just trust. So congratulations to them.
“One thing I really appreciate about Criss Cross (players) is their professionalism,” she went on. “When we call for training, most of them show up. Some couldn’t because of personal matters, but overall, their commitment is impressive.”
The exhibition match featured special rules, including two liberos playing at the same time and allowed to attack from the front line in the fourth set.
