Ish Polvorosa emphasized growth and resilience in the Criss Cross King Crunchers' dominant win over the Cignal HD Spikers in the 2025 Spikers' Turf Open Conference.
Not this time, said Ish Polvorosa and the Criss Criss King Crunchers.
After falling short to the Cignal HD Spikers in last year’s Open and Invitational Conference Finals, the King Crunchers flipped the script, securing a dominant straight-set victory, 25-23, 25-21, 25-17, at the FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan on Wednesday, March 5.
For Polvorosa, this win wasn’t just about getting even—it was about growth.
“I think in this first round we did good as team. There's just some things na kailangan pa namin i-improve kasi may mga lapses pa na dapat hindi na kami nagkakamali,” Polvorosa said during the post-game interview. “I know the team na mapag-aaralan naman namin sa training and we've learned our lessons from the past year na hindi porket marami kaming panalo, eh 'yun na 'yun.”
Despite the huge victory, the King Crunchers playmaker, who delivered 18 excellent sets and contributed four blocks, emphasized the importance of staying grounded despite their early-season success.
“That's not the goal,” he emphasized. “At the end of the day, kailangan pa rin namin maging steadfast and then 'yung mindset dapat namin one game at a time towards that championship na pinapangarap namin.”
Beyond the team’s ambitions, Polvorosa also reflected on his personal journey, becoming calmer under pressure for the championship-seeking Criss Cross squad.
“At this point in my career, I think I've gotten to a point na 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, parang 'yun 'yung naging mantra ko na para mas ma-ease 'yung burden sakin, 'yung mental fortitude ko na dapat nandun lang ako sa every point. Hindi ako nag-dwdwell dun sa gusto ko makuha 'yung championship,” Polvorosa explained.
With a new-found mindset in 2025, the seasoned setter has been orchestrating on a different level for the King Crunchers, who are now 5-0 to end the first round.
“Parang masyado siyang nakatingin lang sa end. Kumabaga ang natutunan ko from last year, i-enjoy din namin 'yung journey namin and i-celebrate namin 'yung bawat wins, bawat point,” said Polvorosa.
Criss Cross will look to extend its run to six when it opens the second round against Alpha Insurance Protectors on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
(With reports from Jamie Velasco/One Sports Digital)