Noel Kampton is finally a champion after years of heartbreaks at De La Salle University—and he did it on his first try in the Spikers’ Turf.
The 6-foot-2 outside spiker played a key role in helping Criss Cross end its three-conference streak of silver medals, securing the 2025 Invitational Conference championship in a five-set thriller against the relentless Japanese guest team Kindai University, 25-15, 25-21, 23-25, 23-25, 22-20, on Saturday before an electrified crowd at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
The victory has lifted Kampton to new heights, which he’s ready to carry into his next challenge: the Volleyball Thailand League.
Just two days after claiming the Spikers’ Turf crown, Kampton is preparing to fly to Taiwan, where his Thai team PSNKK Club will have engagements before starting their VTL campaign.
“It’s a big boost sa confidence ko kasi lalaro ako sa Thailand league. Hindi rin naman basta-basta doon diba. May two imports doon Asian and European so excited ako na makuha ko pa yung growth ko and sana mag-improve pa rin talaga ako doon,” said Kampton, who scored 13 points in the championship, including the hit that tied the fifth set at 20 before the King Crunchers closed out the game.
Having endured the challenges to deliver Criss Cross its first crown in the league organized by Sports Vision and supported by Alpha Insurance, Premiere EMS, Buffalo’s Wings N’ Things, Black Mamba, and Arena Plus, Kampton believes the tough Spikers’ Turf competition has readied him for his international stint.
(C) Spikers Turf Images
Kampton signed with PSNKK in June for the 2025–26 season.
“Iba talaga kasi alam mo ‘yung ibig sabihin na champion ako eh, syempre mataas tingin ko sa sarili ko huwag lang masamain ha,” said Kampton, speaking on his confidence heading to Thailand.
“Mataas tingin ko sa sarili ko kasi champion ako, kaya kong gawin lahat. Kung nag-champion ako dito, why not try ko mag-champion sa ibang bansa? Try lang naman and sobrang blessed ako na may opportunity ako doon talaga.”
It’s not just the competition that prepared him for the VTL but also his head coach at Criss Cross, Tai Bundit.
Playing under a Thai coach has given Kampton a preview of what’s to come.
“Ayun na nga, alam niyo naman siguro yung training ni Coach Tai, hindi easy. Sa court happy-happy, pero sa training focus talaga siya eh,” shared the Criss Cross outside hitter.
“Parang sabi ko ready na ako mag-training sa Thailand kasi coach ko Thai eh, sinasabi niya sa akin na ganon din ang training sa Thailand which is sige may headstart na ako.”
#WATCH: Noel Kampton aims to bring the highs of his first-ever Criss Cross championship to PSNKK Club 🏐#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/1ChsXMeMtt
📹 @jonashdcd /Tiebreaker Times#SpikersTurf2025 pic.twitter.com/SDGjrFMP4C
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) November 29, 2025
