Nico Almendras quickly found his groove under head coach Tai Bundit, making an immediate impact in his debut for Criss Cross during the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference last Wednesday.
Almendras, who joined the King Crunchers after leading National University to a rare UAAP four-peat, delivered eight points and contributed seven excellent receptions in the team’s dominant 25-14, 25-15, 25-15 win over VNS at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
“Okay naman, sobrang happy kasi nakuha namin ‘yung unang panalo namin and sana magtuloy-tuloy,” said Almendras after his first game for Criss Cross.
The former Spikers’ Turf Conference MVP had spent most of his young career under Bulldogs’ head coach Dante Alinsunurin. Now, he has the opportunity to play for another championship-caliber coach in Bundit.
Almendras admitted that he initially faced several adjustments but has gradually adapted to Bundit’s system after nearly three months of training under the Thai mentor.
(C) Spikers Turf Images
“Syempre, ‘yun nga, first time kong naging coach si Coach Tai. Nung una, nag-adjust ako, pero ngayon medyo nagiging okay naman kaming lahat. Siguro tinrabaho lang namin kung ano ‘yung pinagtraining-an namin sa loob ng almost three months.”
The two-time Spikers’ Turf champion is fully aware of the high expectations placed on the King Crunchers, especially with star player Marck Espejo currently playing in Japan’s V.League with the Kubota Spears.
In addition to Almendras, Criss Cross has strengthened its roster by adding 2024 Open Best Opposite Spiker Francis Saura, NCAA standouts Adrian Villados from Arellano University and John Pepito from Perpetual, as well as Filipino-American Lucca Mamone.
The former UAAP Best Outside Spiker expressed his eagerness to prove the team’s hard work in training and help Criss Cross secure its first-ever Spikers’ Turf title.
“Syempre ang expected ng mga tao sa’min is, mataas ‘yung tingin sa’min kaya syempre papakita namin kung ano ‘yung pinagtraining-an namin and syempre patuloy pa rin kaming magte-training para tuloy-tuloy.”
