Jude Garcia is first-ever Spikers’ Turf MVP of the Season
Criss Cross’ Jude Garcia is named Spikers’ Turf MVP for a third consecutive time.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Standing out in a field full of stars is no easy feat.
Cris Cross hitter Jude Garcia’s brilliance and consistency throughout the last two conferences outshone the competition, earning him the first-ever Spikers’ Turf Most Valuable Player of the Season distinction.
READ: Spikers’ Turf: Jude Garcia wins third straight MVP but still no title
The three-time conference MVP, along with other standouts of the country’s premier men’s club volleyball league, will be feted in the historic inaugural staging of Pilipinas Live PVL Press Corps Awards Night on May 28 at Novotel.
Garcia played a huge role in the King Crunchers’ campaign as the 26-year-old winger led his team to three silver medals in as many conferences.
His efforts did not go unnoticed as he will receive the much-deserved recognition in the formal awards night presented by Arena Plus, where the PVL Press Corps will recognize individual excellence across both the men’s and women’s divisions.
The beach volleyball national team star finished second in scoring with 200 total points, including 161 attacks, 32 blocks, and seven service aces in Criss Cross’ amazing 13 straight victories on their way to the Open Conference finals.
The King Crunchers, unfortunately, fell short against Cignal in the best-of-three series that went the full distance.
READ: Spikers’ Turf: Criss Cross’ Jude Garcia plays true to form in semis
Garcia, a Far Eastern University product, 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.
The 5-foot-11 outside spiker will also headline the Mythical Team, winning one of the two Best Outside Hitter awards after an impressive Invitationals campaign last year with a season-high 150 points he made on 132 spikes, 14 kill blocks, and four service aces. He emerged as the top spiker with a 53.88 percent success rate while excelling on floor defense as a top seven receiver with a 47.28 percent efficiency rate.
Also part of the 2024-25 Spikers’ Turf Mythical team are back-to-back Best Setter winner Ish Polvorosa and two-time Best Middle Blocker Gian Glorioso.
Steven Rotter, the Open Conference Best Opposite Spiker and Finals MVP, will raise another trophy for his position after leading the HD Spikers to another title run in the men’s volleyball club league organized by Sports Vision.
Cignal’s Vince Lorenzo is the season’s Best Libero after winning two conference awards.
The Savouge Spin Doctors will receive individual awards with Sherwin Caritativo earning the second Best Outside Hitter award and Giles Torres taking the other Best Middle Blocker trophy as their inclusion highlights the league’s increasing depth of talent and the rising competitiveness.
