Spikers’ Turf: Jaron Requinton thriving into a key cog for Criss Cross
Criss Cross’ Jaron Requinto during a game in the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference.–Photo from Spikers’ Turf
MANILA, Philippines — From a temporary starter to a fixture in the starting six, Jaron Requinton has established himself as a consistent force in Criss Cross’ quest for redemption in the 2025 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference.
Requinton drew a spot start in the King Crunchers’ opening game, and it turns out—that was all he needed to make his mark.
What began as a temporary starting gig quickly turned into a breakout campaign, as the 6-foot-2 opposite hitter delivered impactful performances that secured him a well-deserved spot in the starting unit and pushed the semis-bound Criss Cross to the brink of an elimination round sweep.
READ: Spikers’ Turf: Criss Cross downs Cignal anew for 8-0 slate
And with the round-robin playoffs fast approaching, Requinton’s confidence continues to grow with each game—and so does his impact on the court.
After delivering a nine-point performance—the third-highest on the team—in Criss Cross’ 25-12, 25-18, 25-22 win over VNS-Laticrete last Wednesday, the former University of Santo Tomas beach volleyball star followed it up with a pair of big-time performances that helped his team outlast two title contenders.
Requinton fired a game-high 18 points as the King Crunchers swept their elimination round match-up against rival and defending champion Cignal, 19-25, 25-14, 25-20, 25-19, last Thursday.
He capped off the week with a Spikers’ Turf career-high 22 points, built on 15 attacks, five kill blocks, and two service aces, to help Criss Cross fend off a gritty Savouge in five sets, 20-25, 25-13, 24-26, 25-19, 15-11, and stay unbeaten with a league-best 9-0 record.
“Siyempre, nakaka-proud din sa sarili na ‘yung mga pinaghirapan ko sa training, parang nagpa-pay off siya ngayon,” said Requinton, who saw limited action in his first two conferences with the team but remained committed to putting in the work.
“Yung mga pinaghirapan sa’kin ng coaches na i-build sa training, buti nalalabas ko ngayon sa loob ng court kahit sino ‘yung kalaban. Ayoko talaga sila i-disappoint sa performance na nilalabas ko every game,” he added.
READ: Spikers’ Turf: Criss Cross goes 7-0, Cignal escapes Savouge
For playing a key role in the King Crunchers’ perfect 3-0 week that saw them take down not one, but two formidable teams, Requinton earned the Spikers’ Turf Press Corps Player of the Week award presented by Pilipinas Live for the period of March 12 to 16.
The 24-year-old Alas Pilipinas beach volleyball standout bested teammate Jude Garcia and Ish Polvorosa, CJ Segui of VNS, Steven Rotter of Cignal, and Mark Calado of Savouge for the weekly citation handed out by reporters covering the competition streamed live and on-demand via the Pilipinas Live app and on www.spikersturf.ph.
Requinton believes that their huge victories over the HD Spikers and the Spin Doctors will boost the team’s confidence heading into the semifinals but warned that they cannot afford to be complacent, as tougher challenges await in the next stage of the tournament.
“Maganda ito sa confidence namin na natatalo namin ‘yung mga teams na malalakas like Cignal na lagi naming kalaban sa championship,” said Requinton.
“Nakaka-boost din siya ng morale, at the same time, dapat matuto rin kami na hindi kami maging complacent sa panalo na ito. Kasi pagdating ng semis, mawawala ito lahat, back to zero lahat.”
Criss Cross looks to cap off the elimination round with a sweep as they take on also-ran PGJC-Navy on Wednesday before shifting their focus to the round-robin semifinals.
