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Jude Garcia of Criss Cross in the 2025 Spikers' Turf Invitational Conference. PVL Media
MANILA -- Jude Garcia has served as the engine that fueled Criss Cross' perfect elimination round campaign in the 2025 Spikers' Turf Invitational Conference.
Garcia led the way as the King Crunchers scored three straight wins to complete a 7-0 record in the preliminaries.
A three-time Most Valuable Player, Garcia averaged 21.7 points and 7.0 digs while helping eliminate two squads from the semis race.
Garcia scored 24 points and added nine impressive digs in a thrilling five-setter, 22-25, 25-21, 25-16, 21-25, 17-15, that eliminated his alma mater, Far Eastern University-DN Steel, from semifinals contention last Wednesday.
The 27-year-old outside hitter then poured in 19 points and six digs as the King Crunchers rolled to a 25-22, 25-15, 25-21 victory, pushing University of Santo Tomas-Gameville into a precarious and dangerous position in the standings.
He capped off a stellar week with 22 points and eight digs in a hard-fought 21-25, 25-23, 25-18, 25-20 triumph that firmly shut the door on Alpha Insurance's semifinals hopes.
READ: Criss Cross denies Alpha Insurance's upset bid to sweep elims
For his consistent performance throughout the week, Garcia was hailed as the first Spikers' Turf Press Corps Player of the Week, presented by Pilipinas Live, for the period of November 12 to 16.
"Kung anong goal namin this season, talagang gusto naming makamit kung ano 'yung 'di namin nakamit last season. Ito 'yung stepping stone para makamit 'yung goal," said Garcia.
"'Di naman namin nakuha 'yung 7-0 nang madali lang—talagang pinaghirapan ng team, pinaghirapan ng bawat isa 'yung 7-0. Kaya dadalhin namin 'yung mataas na momentum, mataas na confidence sa sarili namin para sa semifinals—hanggang mapunta kami ng finals," he added.
Garcia bested teammates Noel Kampton and Adrian Villados, as well as UST-Gameville's Edriel Alabar and Cignal's Louie Ramirez for the weekly honor, which is decided by print and online reporters covering the pioneering men's volleyball league organized by Sports Vision.
The Garcia-led King Crunchers will look to carry their unbeaten streak into the round-robin semifinals, which will feature guest squads Kindai University of Japan and ProVolley Academy of Australia.
The tournament will be streamed live and on-demand via the Pilipinas Live app and at www.spikersturf.ph.
Even without their Alas Pilipinas stars — Marck Espejo, Kim Malabunga, and Eco Adajar — Garcia is confident Criss Cross can maintain their momentum and continue their strong run into the semifinals.
"Ano naman, sa ganyang sitwasyon ready kami. Kasi sa training pa lang, ine-ensayo na namin talaga na hindi kami magre-rely masyado talaga sa national team players namin," he said.