When opportunity knocked for Adrian Villados, he didn’t just answer—he slammed the door on doubt. With Criss Cross’ star setter Ish Polvorosa sidelined by an ACL injury, the Arellano University playmaker stepped out of the shadows and into the spotlight, guiding his team to its first-ever Spikers’ Turf championship.
In a heart-stopping one-game finale that stretched to five sets, Criss Cross showcased nerves of steel and tactical precision to outlast Japan’s Kindai University, 25-15, 25-21, 23-25, 23-25, 22-20, before a roaring crowd at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Villados orchestrated the offense flawlessly, delivering 34 excellent sets that fueled four King Crunchers into double-digit scoring, highlighted by four-time MVP Jude Garcia’s 35-point explosion. The young setter’s performance earned him Finals MVP honors—a first for a setter in Spikers’ Turf history—while also securing the Best Setter award for the conference.
“Yun nga po malaking part para sa team na wala si Kuya Ish kaya binigyan ako ng tiwala nila coach para gampanan ko. Ang ginawa ko lang is perform lang ako every game, every training 100 percent. Binibigyan din ako ng tiwala nila coach para ipasok sa first six, ginawa ko lang talaga yung best ko at tiwala sa teammates,” Villados said.
Despite the personal accolades, Villados emphasized that the championship was the ultimate reward. “Masaya po kasi ayun nakamit namin yung championship so yung mga awards po bonus lang talaga. All the sacrifices ginawa namin, everything nagbunga po lahat.”
The young setter credited Polvorosa and his other senior teammates—including Marck Espejo, Kim Malabunga, and Ysay Marasigan—for his growth and composure throughout the conference. “Sobrang laking bagay na nandyan yung mga kuya ko… marami silang sinasabi sa akin, so malaking tulong kasi gumagana sa laro,” he added.
