Jude Garcia plans to carry a challenger mindset heading into Criss Cross’ much-anticipated clash against defending champion Cignal on Sunday in the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference.
Garcia, who won a championship with the HD Spikers in 2019, now stars for the King Crunchers along with former Cignal stars Ysay Marasigan, Manuel Sumanguid, Chu Njigha, and Geuel Asia.
Meanwhile, Cignal bolstered its roster and signed Mark Calado, Madz Gampong, Nas Gwaza, Lloyd Josafat, Ronniel Rosales, Kris Silang, Giles Torres, and Bryan Bagunas in its bid to retain its Open Conference crown.
“Challenge pa rin kasi sila yung champion team so malaking experience samin na makalaban sila. Icha-challenge namin sila. Kami yung magcha-challenge talaga kasi sila yung champion. Pagpupursigihan namin every point,” said Garcia.
The former Far Eastern University star has been Criss Cross’ main weapon in their impressive 4-0 start in the tournament and was even named the first-ever Spikers’ Turf Press Corps Player of the Week.
Garcia tallied 19 points on 17 attacks and two blocks and played a crucial role in their tight four-set, 25-20, 20-25, 32-30, 25-14 encounter over the D’Navigators last Wednesday at the Paco Arena.
The beach volleyball veteran said that he’s glad to see the King Crunchers sustain their momentum prior to the Holy Week break and he hopes that the team can take it up a notch once they take on Cignal on Sunday, 6:00 p.m. at the Philsports Arena.
“Sobrang saya kasi after ng break nung Holy Week, andun pa rin yung composure namin sa game,” said Garcia.
“Kahit sobrang dikit ng laban, hindi pa rin kami nagpatinag sa laro. Andun yung composure sa mga teammates ko, nag mag-tiwala sa isa’t isa. Hindi nawawala yung tiwala na binigay ng coaches samin.”
