Nico Almendras joins a loaded Criss Cross King Crunchers' frontline alongside star spiker Marck Espejo and reigning MVP Jude Garcia next season.
From Bulldog and to King Cruncher.
National University standout Nico Almendras has officially started his professional volleyball career, joining the Criss Cross King Crunchers in the Spikers’ Turf, the team announced on Wednesday, June 26.
Almendras is the first offseason signing for Criss Cross, after the King Crunchers collect silver in their debut--the 2024 Spikers' Turf Open Conference.
[ALSO READ: Spikers’ Turf: Bryan Bagunas, Cignal sweep Criss Cross, retain crown in Open Conference]
Almendras’ arrival boosts Criss Cross' firepower, which features superstar spiker Marck Espejo and reigning Open Conference MVP Jude Garcia.
A three-time UAAP champion, Almendras was key in helping the Bulldogs complete an unprecedented four-peat run in the collegiate men’s volleyball tournament, after sweeping past the UST Golden Spikers in the Season 86 title series.
[ALSO READ: UAAP: NU Bulldogs complete rare 4-peat after closing out UST in Game 2]
He then became part of the Alas Pilipinas Men who competed in the AVC Men’s Challenge Cup, keeping 10th place in the competition.
[ALSO READ: Alas Pilipinas finish tenth in AVC Challenge Cup for Men after bowing to Thailand]
Technically, the 24-year-old outside spiker is no stranger to the Spikers' Turf--winning the title twice. He was part of the NU-Sta. Elena squad that took home the 2022 Open Conference and 2023 Invitational championships.
His teammate in those runs? None other than UAAP Season 85 Finals MVP Owa Retamar, who joined the Cignal HD Spikers earlier. So expect the former Bulldogs to square off as rivals in the Spikers’ Turf.
[ALSO READ: UAAP Season 85 Finals MVP Owa Retamar joins Cignal]