Noel Kampton is on a mission — and so far, he’s systematically erasing the ghosts of his past, one giant win at a time.
For the former De La Salle University standout, two teams in particular loomed large over his previous Spikers’ Turf campaigns: Cignal and Savouge. Both squads handed him bitter defeats during the last Invitational Conference, leaving memories that still stung.
The Super Spikers, then known as the HD Spikers, snapped La Salle’s perfect 4-0 start, igniting a skid that derailed what had once looked like a promising season.
“Simula nasa La Salle pa ako, hindi ako nananalo sa Cignal eh,” Kampton recalled, reflecting on those setbacks.
“Kaya ngayon, sobrang happy naman ako na nanalo kami sa Cignal pero hindi pa tayo ‘yung porke nanalo kami sa defending champions masaya na kami,” he added.
Even more painful was the defeat to Savouge, the Spin Doctors, which capped a four-game losing streak and ultimately crushed La Salle’s semifinal hopes.
Fast forward to the 2025 Invitational Conference, and the story has taken a dramatic turn. Now donning the Criss Cross colors, Kampton has exacted sweet revenge against both former nemeses.
The 25-year-old wing helped the King Crunchers topple Cignal in four sets, 25-23, 24-26, 25-22, 25-18, last Sunday. He followed it up with a straight-set sweep of Savouge, 25-23, 25-18, 25-22, on Wednesday, keeping Criss Cross unbeaten at 5-0.
In his first season with Criss Cross, Kampton hasn’t just exorcised old demons — he’s emerged as one of the league’s brightest young stars. Against Cignal, he racked up 16 points alongside 11 excellent receptions, before producing 12 points, seven attacks, three aces, and a block, in addition to six excellent receptions and five excellent digs against Savouge.
“Sobrang happy lang ako,” Kampton said.
“Sabi ko nga sa interview ko, ‘yun nga ‘yung sa [last] Spikers’ Turf ko, sobrang heartbreaking sa’kin kasi last playing year ko sa La Salle, hindi kami nakapasok sa [semis] because of them. Tinalo rin kami. Alam ko straight sets din ‘yun eh,” he added.
With personal revenge checked off his list, Kampton is refocusing on the bigger picture: keeping Criss Cross on track for a championship run.
“But for me, sige lang nandyan lang ‘yung standings eh. Pero ang importante one game at a time talaga. Kalimutan muna natin na 5-0, kami, ang importante pumunta kami sa game para manalo kami,” he said.
