BEHIND every powerful spiker stands a brilliant playmaker.
Setter Ish Polvorosa epitomizes just that by bringing out the best in the Criss Cross King Crunchers.
His exceptional playmaking has been the driving force behind the King Crunchers’ dominant run, leading them to an unbeaten 6-0 win-loss record in the 2025 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference.
From the first round of the preliminaries to early second round, Polvorosa has orchestrated his team’s offense with precision and control.
The 27-year-old setter delivered 18 excellent sets in the King Crunchers’ stunning sweep of rivals Cignal HD Spikers 25-23, 25-21, 25-17, while also recording fourkill blocks against the league’s top spiking team after the first round on Wednesday at the FilOilEcoOil Arena in San Juan.
His masterful ball distribution was again on full display in sweeping Alpha Insurance Protectors, 25-10, 25-12, 25-11, dishing out 12 excellent sets and a point last Sunday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Despite their early dominance, Polvorosa and Criss Cross remain focused on the bigger picture.
“We’ve learned from the past year nahindiporketmaramikamingpanalosa early games eh ‘yunna ‘yun. That’s not the goal,” said the former Ateneo standout. “At the end of the day, kailangan pa rin naming maging steadfast. Our mindset should be one game at a time towards that championship napinapangarapnamin.”
Since the team’s formation in early 2024, Criss Cross has come close to claiming the title twice, making the finals against Cignal in both Spikers’ Turf conferences. However, they fell short each time, leaving them hungry for redemption this year.
With a renewed mindset, Polvorosa is urging his team to focus on every play, every set, and every match, recognizing that every step is crucial in their journey.
So far, that approach is paying off for the league leaders.
“I think at this point in my career, I’ve gotten to the point na, you know, I really want to win, but at the same time, I don’t feel like I need to win to fulfill my soul. This year, ‘yun ‘yungnaging mantra ko para mas ma-ease ‘yung burden sa’kin,” Polvorosa reflected.
“Yung mental fortitude konadapatnandunlangakosa every point—hindiakonagde-dwell dun sa ‘ay gusto komakuha ‘yung championship.’ Parangmasyadosiyangnakatinginlangsa end. Kumbaga, angnatutunanko from last year, i-enjoy din namin ‘yung journey namin and i-celebrate namin ‘yungbawat win, bawat point.”
