Spikers’ Turf: Jude Garcia wins 3rd straight MVP but still no title
Criss Cross’ Jude Garcia is named Spikers’ Turf MVP for a third consecutive time.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Jude Garcia continues to stand alone in the Spikers’ Turf after bagging his third consecutive Most Valuable Player award in the 2025 Open Conference.
The Criss Cross star is still the winningest MVP in the decade-long men’s volleyball league, adding another plum after being hailed as a back-to-back winner last year.
However, the championship remained elusive for Garcia and the King Crunchers after falling to the nine-time champions Cignal HD Spikers in a winner-take-all Game 3, 22-25, 16-25, 26-28, in their third straight finals series on Sunday at Philsports Arena.
READ: Spikers’ Turf: Cignal claims three-peat, dispatches Criss Cross
Jude Garcia wins his third MVP. #SpikersTurf2025 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/USbxsxsPA6
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) April 6, 2025
The former beach volleyball national team standout finished second in scoring with 200 total points, including 161 attacks, 32 blocks, and seven service aces.
Garcia also ranked second in spiking with a 46.40% success rate, led the league in blocking with 0.70 per set, placed ninth in service (0.15 per set), 10th in digging (1.11 per set), and fourth in receiving with a 48.91% efficiency.
Steven Rotter was named Finals MVP after leading the HD Spikers to the championship in three games. He was a model of consistency, averaging 14.33 points over the three games in the championship series, including 15 points on 11-of-21 spikes, three blocks, and an ace in the gold medal-clinching 25-22, 25-16, 28-26 Game 3 triumph.
The 26-year-old Filipino-American HD Spiker was Best Opposite Hitter after being the most efficient scorer this conference with a 48.65% success rate and the best server with a total of 14 aces, averaging 0.31 per set. Rotter was also fourth in scoring with a total of 150 points.
Seven of the nine individual awards were shared by rivals Criss Cross and Cignal. Bronze medalist Savouge won the two Best Outside Spikers with the league’s top scorer Mark Calado and Shawie Caritativo dominating the position.
READ: Spikers’ Turf: Criss Cross’ Jude Garcia plays true to form in semis
Calado had a breakout season with Savouge after a subpar stint with Cignal last year. He led the league in scoring with 229 points, composed of 208 attacks, 16 blocks, and five aces. He also finished third in spiking with a 46.12% success rate.
Caritativo, on the other hand, secured his second consecutive Best Outside Spiker award after another well-rounded campaign with the Spin Doctors. He ranked sixth in scoring with 135 points, placed sixth in spiking with a 40.58% success rate, finished fifth in service (0.17 per set), and secured the sixth spot in receptions with a 44.35% efficiency.
Ish Polvorosa was the league’s Best Setter after a masterful conference, orchestrating the King Crunchers to a 13-game winning streak on their way to their third consecutive finals.
Polvorosa injured his knee late in the third but still went to the podium to receive his silver medal with a knee immobilizer.
READ: Spikers’ Turf Finals: Criss Cross escapes Cignal, forces Game 3
Vince Lorenzo won the Best Libero and placed second in digs with 2.13 per set and third in receiving with 48.97% efficiency.
Criss Cross breakout player Gian Glorioso and Cignal veteran JP Bugaoan were the conference’s Best Middle Blockers.
Bugaoan ranked as the second-best blocker in the tournament with a total of 30 blocks, averaging 0.67 per set, while Glorioso followed closely in fourth with 23 blocks, averaging 0.50 per set. In addition, the HD Spikers’ team captain also broke into the top 15 in scoring with 94 points, while Glorioso finished 19th with 85 points.
