Marck Espejo and the Criss Cross King Crunchers received loud cheers from their sibling team, the Creamline Cool Smashers, during Game 2 of the 2025 Spikers' Turf Open Conference Finals.
As Criss Cross tried to hold off Cignal’s comeback attempt in Game 2 of the 2025 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference Finals, the King Crunchers received an overwhelming support from their sibling team, Creamline.
This proved to be valuable as the King Crunchers forced a winner-take-all Game 3 against the HD Spikers after winning in five sets, 25-20, 25-15, 18-25, 22-25, 15-12, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig on Friday, April 4.
For Criss Cross superstar Marck Espejo, the Cool Smashers’ energy throughout the match was greatly appreciated by the King Crunchers.
“Yung pag-cheer nila sa likod namin sa bench nung nasa labas ako, sobrang nakaka-lift sila ng morale. Kumbaga, kung tahimik kami sa labas, sa bench, ‘pag naririnig namin sila, napapaingay din kami. Parang domino effect ba. Yung energy nila, nata-transfer din sa’min,” Espejo said after the match.
Beyond their courtside presence, Espejo also shared that the Cool Smashers also visited the team the night before the game.
“Before pa naman, last night, pumunta sa room namin sila Alyssa [Valdez]. Kinausap kami, binigyan kami ng mga motivational wisdom. From du’n, nakakuha kami ng morale. Mas tumaas pa yung feeling namin na feel namin, para sa’min talaga ‘tong [conference] na ‘to,” he added.
Opposite hitter Jaron Requinton, who was hailed the Player of the Game with 17 points, likewise cherished having the Alyssa Valdez-led Cool Smashers watch them live and in action.
“Sakin po, idol ko si Ate Ly tsaka siyempre most of the Creamline girls. Na-eexcite ako maglaro this day kasi alam kong maglalaro sila. So wala, super duper inspired ako maglaro kasi pinapanood nila ako,” said Requinton.
“Parang baliktad na 'yung nangyari ngayon. Dati sila 'yung pinapanood tas ngayon, halos buong team silang nanonood sa’min,” he added.
Now, the King Crunchers set their sights on Game 3, hoping to ride the momentum—and the inspiration from Creamline—toward their first Spikers’ Turf championship.
The winner-take-all Game 3 is set for Sunday, April 6, still at the PhilSports Arena.