Criss Cross will carry the same “happy happy” mentality it had back then when it returns to the Spikers’ Turf arena for the upcoming 2024 Invitational Conference.
The King Crunchers hold a heftier advantage this time, having the opportunity for a longer preparation compared to their silver medal run in the 2024 Open Conference.
Head coach Tai Bundit’s mantra, first popularized during his stint with the Ateneo Lady Eagles, is more necessary than ever as Criss Cross aims to capture its first title in the league organized by Sports Vision and backed by ArenaPlus, Mikasa, and Alpha Insurance & Surety Company.
“I think the ‘happy happy’ mentality of Coach Tai ay dadalin pa rin namin this conference,” said libero Manuel Sumanguid, one of the key cogs of the King Crunchers.
“Yes, we do have a bigger goal, which is to make it to the top. But at the same time we want to play every game – whether it’s an important game or not – we want to play happy inside the court and make sure we don’t lose our focus,” he continued.
“The goal is to handle every game with grit and determination to win until we reach the top.”
However, one adversity Criss Cross needs to address is the loss of main gunner Marck Espejo.
He will miss this tournament as he embarks on a new stint in the V.League with the Kubota Spears.
(C) Joaqui Flores/Spikers Turf
They compensated for this loss with the signing of 2024 Open Best Opposite Spiker Francis Saura, as well as National University star Nico Almendras during the offseason.
And, of course, that open spiker position will not be thin at all, as reigning MVP Jude Garcia will still be there to hold the fort for the King Crunchers.
“Marck was a big factor in our team as our ‘go-to guy,’ but I’m glad that Jude stepped up last conference as well,” said the five-time Best Libero winner.
“With that, the adjustment of Nico and Francis went smoothly because we were teammates on the National team before. From our past trainings, both of them are adapting really well, and I see us working as a unit to achieve our goal this conference,” added Sumanguid.
Criss Cross will begin its quest for a title run on October 16 at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City when it battles the VNS Griffins at 4 p.m.
Sumanguid expressed his excitement for this conference and can’t wait to duke it out with the other nine teams, which will also feature two of the best collegiate squads – Far Eastern University-DN Steel and De La Salle University-EcoOil – that earned their spots after ending the 2024 V-League Men’s Collegiate Challenge as the top two teams.
(C) Spikers Turf Images
“We are grateful that Spikers’ Turf is back, and happy ako na may college teams din na kasali. It’ll be an exciting conference,” said the 5-foot-7 defensive specialist out of Ateneo de Manila University.
“Me and my teammates worked really hard during our off-season training with Coach Tai, and pinagtrabahuhan namin as a team yung lapses and mistakes namin from last conference.”
All games will air live on One Sports, One Sports+, and through the Pilipinas Live app, which will feature video-on-demand content.
Matches will also be streamed on the official Spikers’ Turf website.
