Noel Kampton was one of the most highly-touted recruits of Criss Cross heading into the 2025 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference.
A standout during his college days with De La Salle University in the UAAP, the 25-year-old outside spiker signed with the King Crunchers to further elevate his game.
However, his debut didn’t go as planned.
Head coach Tai Bundit fielded him as a starter, but Kampton only played a set and a half before being replaced by Marck Espejo, as Criss Cross edged PGJC-Navy in four sets in the tournament opener last Monday.
Eager to redeem himself after a quiet debut where he tallied only eight points, Kampton bounced back strong. He led the King Crunchers with a team-high 14 points built on 10 attacks, three blocks, and an ace, powering them to a dominant 25-14, 25-15, 25-21 sweep of the VNS Griffins on Friday at the Paco Arena in Manila.
After their match against the Sealions — where Espejo was initially not expected to see floor time — Kampton admitted feeling a bit guilty.
(C) Spikers Turf Images
“Actually knowing Kuya Marck, may injury nga siya from the World Championship. Nag-chat ako sa kanya after game, sabi ko, ‘Kuya, sorry nakalaro ka dahil sa akin’ pero sabi niya ready lang naman daw siya,” Kampton shared after their win on Friday night.
“Ang maganda diyan kay Kuya Marck, ang dami kong natututunan, promise. Sa lahat ng aspect sa volleyball, sabi ko akala ko marami na akong alam pero hindi, mas marami siyang alam.”
Despite his youth, Kampton already has considerable experience, having been part of the Alas Pilipinas training pools in the past. Still, he admitted that his first outing was far from ideal due to “first game jitters.”
He credited his veteran teammates for helping him shake off his nerves and regain confidence in the league organized by Sports Vision and supported by Alpha Insurance, Premiere EMS, Buffalo’s Wings N’ Things, and ArenaPlus.
“First-game jitters kasi siyempre rookie ako. Kahit medyo experienced player na ako like ‘yung mga tournament na nalalaruan ko, siyempre hindi mawawala ‘yung kinabahan kasi siyempre rookie ako dito sa Spikers’ Turf at bago ‘yung mga kasama ko,” said Kampton.
“Training lang talaga ulit, and ang maganda kasi dito sa Criss Cross… Sanay kasi ako sa La Salle kapag pangit ‘yung laro ko parang nada-down talaga ako. Dito hindi eh,” he added.
“Sila Kuya Marck Espejo, Kuya Jude Garcia, sila Kuya Ysay, at Kuya Krung Arbasto, sila ‘yung nagsasabi sa akin na okay lang ‘yan, one game at a time, bawi ka lang.”
After just two games in the country’s premier men’s volleyball league, Kampton and the King Crunchers now brace for their biggest test yet — a rematch against their longtime rivals, the Cignal HD Spikers, their finals tormentors in the last three conferences.
Criss Cross and Cignal collide on Sunday at 6:00 PM at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
