In the high-stakes Game 2 of the 2025 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference Finals, the King Crunchers of Criss Cross found a source of unyielding motivation and energy—directly from their sister team, Creamline.
A do-or-die scenario loomed large as Criss Cross faced Cignal, the defending champions, after dropping the first game of the series. But the Cool Smashers were not about to let their sister team face the battle alone. Led by captain Alyssa Valdez, the Creamline squad showed up in full force at the Philsports Arena in Pasig, providing emotional support that would prove pivotal.
Their presence behind the Criss Cross bench in the final set was more than just a show of solidarity. It was a reminder of the power of team spirit, as the Cool Smashers rallied to inspire their counterparts in the most critical of moments.
"Yung pag-cheer nila sa likod namin sa bench nung nasa labas ako, sobrang nakaka-lift sila ng morale," said Marck Espejo, after Criss Cross’ thrilling 25-20, 25-15, 18-25, 22-25, 15-12 victory. “Kung tahimik kami sa labas, sa bench, ‘pag naririnig namin sila, napapaingay din kami. Parang domino effect ba. Yung energy nila, nata-transfer din sa’min.”
The fifth set had the crowd on the edge of their seats, with Criss Cross trailing 4-7 before Espejo entered the game early for Nico Almendras. It was in this crucial moment that the former league MVP sparked a 5-1 run, contributing two of the four points that helped the King Crunchers overturn the deficit and edge out a 9-8 lead—a lead they would hold on to for the rest of the match.
But it wasn’t just on the court that the Creamline players made an impact. Espejo revealed that the night before, Valdez and the Cool Smashers visited their team’s room, offering motivational words that gave them the mental boost they needed.
“Before pa naman, last night, pumunta sa room namin sila Alyssa [Valdez]. Kinausap kami, binigyan kami ng mga motivational wisdom. From du’n, nakakuha kami ng morale. Mas tumaas pa yung feeling namin na feel namin, para sa’min talaga ‘tong [conference] na ‘to,” Espejo shared.
For Jaron Requinton, the experience was something he could hardly believe. A longtime fan of Alyssa Valdez and the Creamline squad, Requinton was overcome with emotion as he saw his idols not only watching from the sidelines but fully invested in his team’s success.
“Sakin po, idol ko si ate Ly tsaka siyempre most of the Creamline girls. Na-eexcite ako maglaro this day kasi alam kong maglalaro sila. So wala, super duper inspired ako maglaro kasi pinapanood nila ako,” said Requinton, who played a key role in the victory with a total of 17 points.
His game-changing performance came late in the match when he delivered back-to-back clutch hits that broke an 11-all deadlock and pushed Criss Cross ahead to a 13-11 lead. It was a pivotal moment, one that left the HD Spikers reeling and unable to recover.
“Parang baliktad na 'yung nangyari ngayon. Dati sila 'yung pinapanood tas ngayon, halos buong team silang nanonood sila samin,” Requinton reflected, noting the surreal feeling of being cheered on by the team he once admired from the stands.
As the King Crunchers celebrated their hard-fought victory, both Espejo and Requinton acknowledged that Cignal would not go down without a fight. With Game 3 on the horizon, they are bracing for a winner-take-all showdown that will surely see the HD Spikers bring everything they’ve got.
“Tatrabahuin pa rin namin kasi yung Cignal naman, di naman basta-bastang bibigay ‘to. Champion team pa rin ‘to kahit anong mangyari. Sabi nga nila, ibang kwento na ‘tong finals,” Espejo said.
