Marck Espejo was filled with gratitude toward Rebisco for investing in men’s volleyball by establishing the Criss Cross King Crunchers to compete in the Spikers’ Turf.
With Rebisco entering the men’s scene, it created a new rivalry to watch between Criss Cross and perennial champions Cignal.
Although their inaugural campaign did not end as they had imagined – at the top – Espejo was still pleased with the heightened level of competition that coincided with the growing number of fans inside the venues and those watching at home.
The King Crunchers settled for a runner-up finish in the 2024 Open Conference after losing to the HD Spikers via a sweep, 25-27, 25-23, 21-25, 19-25 in Game 1 and 23-25, 25-27, 21-25 in Game 2.
(C) Joaqui Flores/Spikers Turf
“Exciting, very exciting po. Kumbaga, mas tumaas ‘yung level ng competition dito sa Spikers’ Turf. ‘Yun naman talaga ‘yung gusto naming mangyari ever since pa talaga,” said Espejo on Friday after the awarding in front of a huge crowd at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
“Sobrang blessed po at sobrang saya talaga lalo na sa Rebisco company, kay sir Jonathan Ng. Sila ‘yung unang gumalaw, minove ‘yung level ng volleyball sa Pilipinas na ginawa ‘yung Rebisco, ‘yung Criss Cross,” he continued.
“Nagkaroon ng ibang kalaban ‘yung Cignal kasi for the past years, kapag Spikers’ Turf, always Cignal, Cignal, Cignal, Cignal. So may ibang team na and I hope may darating pang ibang teams next conference.”
The 6-foot-3 outside spiker, fresh off a stint in South Korea, is thankful for Rebisco, who took a chance on the men’s side after continuous success in the women’s side in the Premier Volleyball League with their teams Creamline and Choco Mucho – which are currently battling it out in the Finals of the ongoing All-Filipino Conference.
And with the growth and progress that the Spikers’ Turf has seen this conference, he hopes that more and more companies will invest in men’s volleyball.
“Sana masimulan na ngayon and I hope may mga ibang companies na magtayo ng club para ‘yung mga star players sa UAAP, NCAA, at kahit ibang lugar po ay makuha at tumaas pa level ng volleyball,” said Espejo.
