After years of near misses and heartbreaks at De La Salle University, Noel Kampton finally knows what it feels like to lift a championship trophy. And he did it in style—on his very first run in the Spikers’ Turf.
The 6-foot-2 outside spiker was at the heart of Criss Cross’s historic triumph, helping the team end a three-conference streak of silver medals with a hard-fought 2025 Invitational Conference victory. In a five-set thriller against the relentless Japanese guest team Kindai University, the King Crunchers emerged victorious, 25-15, 25-21, 23-25, 23-25, 22-20, before a roaring crowd at the Filoil EcoOil Centre on Saturday.
Kampton delivered when it mattered most, scoring 13 points, including the clutch hit that tied the fifth set at 20, setting the stage for Criss Cross to seal its first-ever Spikers’ Turf crown.
“Winning this championship is a huge confidence boost for me, especially since I’ll be heading to the Thailand League soon,” Kampton said. “It’s not easy over there. They have two imports—Asian and European—so I’m excited to continue growing and improving.”
Just two days after his historic victory, Kampton was preparing to fly to Taiwan, where his Thai team, PSNKK Club, has engagements before launching their VTL campaign. The Spikers’ Turf grind, he believes, has prepared him well for the next chapter of his career.
“Being a champion gives me confidence. If I can win here, why not try to win in another country? I feel blessed to have this opportunity,” he added.
Kampton also credits his Criss Cross head coach, Thai volleyball legend Tai Bundit, for giving him a head start for the international stage.
“Training under Coach Tai isn’t easy. On the court, he’s all smiles, but in practice, he’s all focus,” Kampton said. “I already know what it’s like in Thailand because of him, so I feel ready for what’s ahead.”
With the highs of his first Spikers’ Turf title fueling his ambitions, Kampton is now ready to bring his championship mindset to PSNKK Club and make his mark in the Volleyball Thailand League.
