JUDE Garcia could be on track to win an unprecedented MVP three-peat with Criss Cross come the 2025 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference.
In both of his MVP conferences, however, the King Crunchers settled for silver. The latest of which saw Garcia and Co. win 13 of their 14 matches before losing in straight sets in the winner-take-all title game against Cignal.
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While a hat-trick of MVPs would be a rare badge of honor for the 26-year-old Far Eastern University spiker, he’d much rather have Criss Cross avoid a three-peat of runner-up finishes.
May it be against Cignal again or any other team in a diminished six-team field, Garcia’s ready to pounce harder for the one-year-old team’s long-awaited redemption.
“Sobrang anticipated matchup pa rin kaming dalawa (ng Cignal). Kami ‘yung nag-championship last two conferences, so kumbaga, ‘yung eagerness namin na matalo sila at mabawian sila, nandun pa rin,” Garcia said during the Spikers’ Turf media day activities.
“‘Yung goal pa rin is makuha ‘yung unang championship ng Criss Cross and sana makuha namin lahat ng pinaghirapan namin these past months kay coach Tai [Bundit].”
Bundit, a champion mentor in the women’s scene with Ateneo, pressed Criss Cross to work on two 'C’s' en route to the championship: composure and consistency.
“Ang in-improve lang namin, ‘yung consistency namin sa court kasi last conference talaga, alam namin na kulang kami sa composure at consistency sa loob. ‘Yun talaga ‘yung winork-on namin,” said Garcia.
From the sands to the ‘SEA’ again soon?
With years of decorated beach volleyball experience to his name, the three-time reigning Southeast Asian (SEA) Games bronze medalist looks forward to bringing more of his sand-acquired agility to the taraflex to finally steer Criss Cross over the finish line.
“Malaking bagay (‘yung beach volleyball) sobra kasi nga siyempre, unang-una, (du’n ako mas natuto) kung paano ako tumalon at kung paano ako mas naging agile sa court. Na-aapply ko rin ‘yun sa indoor,” Garcia said.
“Compared sa beach kasi, sobrang hirap ng galawan du’n kasi may buhangin. Dito, sa taraflex lang, hardcourt talaga. ‘Di naman sa sobrang dali na tumalon, kumbaga nasanay na rin ako sa taraflex din.”
Is an Alas Pilipinas stint, whether beach or indoor, on the table for Garcia ahead of a World Championship year for the nationals?
At least for now, not yet.
“Sa ngayon po, wala pa pong (plano) kasi sabi nga ng manager namin, ang talagang pinaka-goal ko muna ngayon is maglaro sa Criss Cross,” Garcia said.
“After siguro ng conference, tsaka kami magde-decide kung anong magiging plano. Ayaw din naming mag-expect pa kasi gusto naming magfocus sa kung anong meron kami which is ‘tong conference na ‘to.”
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