Jude Garcia vowed to bounce back after going missing in Criss Cross’ Game 2 loss to Savouge in the 2026 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference Finals.
Garcia had erupted for 26 points in their Game 1 win in the title series. But he found himself limited to just 10 points as the King Crunchers failed to close out the championship after absorbing a 22-25, 21-25, 19-25 defeat to the Spin Doctors on Friday at the Filoil Centre.
“Sobrang laking impact sa team namin na nawala ako sa team. Kailangan talaga sa Game 3 bumawi ako,” said the four-time league MVP and first-ever Season MVP.
The 27-year-old winger said he feels prepared to put in double — if not triple — the effort leading into Game 3 on Sunday as he looks to regain his rhythm and help Criss Cross secure a second consecutive Spikers’ Turf title.
(C) Spikers’ Turf Images
Still, Garcia is not putting too much pressure on himself ahead of the do-or-die match, choosing instead to focus on preparation and execution.
“Pero siyempre sabi ko nga, no pressure pa rin. Game 3 is all-or-nothing na eh, so kailangan talaga namin — kailangan ko talaga doblehin o kaya triplehin yung effort ko,” he added.
He also called on his teammates to respond in kind, stressing that they did not play like the Criss Cross squad they know in Game 2 and must deliver a stronger, more composed performance in the decider.
Criss Cross was held to just 35 attacks, with Garcia accounting for 9 of 25 attempts on offense as Savouge’s defense kept them under constant pressure throughout the match.
“Okay lang matalo kasi normal naman. Kailangan talaga namin — sabi nga ni Sir Jonathan [Ng] sa amin, hindi kami yung naglaro kanina. Talagang sa Game 3, ipakita namin talaga kung sino talaga yung Criss Cross na nag-champion last conference,” said Garcia.
“Kailangan talaga namin bumawi at kailangan talaga namin mag-doble effort sa ginagawa namin, kasi hindi pa tapos yung laban, may Game 3 pa naman. Talagang every point importante talaga sa Game 3.”
