Spikers’ Turf: Adrian Villados aptly filling in for injured teammate

Criss Cross’ Adrian Villados.– Photo from Spikers’ Turf

MANILA, Philippines — Thrust into a bigger role, Adrian Villados has shown tremendous poise and maturity while filling in for Ish Polvorosa as Criss Cross’ lead setter.

Amid Polvorosa’s absence due to a knee injury, Villados’ steady hands have been instrumental in the King Crunchers’ league-best 3-0 start in the 2025 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference.

READ: Spikers’ Turf: Jude Garcia-led Criss Cross gets back at Cignal

The proud Arellano University product averaged 25.3 excellent sets per outing in the crowd-darling’s winning run.

For his veteran composure and decisive playmaking, Villados emerged as the first Spikers’ Turf Press Corps Player of the Week presented by Pilipinas Live from October 27 to November 2.

Villados tossed up 22 excellent sets, coupled with three points, in Criss Cross’ 25-15, 23-25, 25-23, 25-14 win against PGJC-Navy to open the new conference last Tuesday at the FilOil EcoOil Arena.

He then followed it up with 20 excellent sets and four points in a 25-14, 25-15, 25-21 sweep over the VNS Griffins three days after.

The young setter’s finest performance came against nine-time champion Cignal, where he dished out an impressive 34 excellent sets in the King Crunchers’ 25-23, 24-26, 25-22, 25-18 statement win over their archrivals on Sunday.

READ: Spikers’ Turf: Criss Cross’ Noel Kampton picks himself up after slow start

While filling in for Polvorosa is no easy task, Villados credits his veterans and coaches at Criss Cross for providing ample guidance.

“There’s always some pressure, but I try not to think about it because my older teammates and coaches are there to guide me,” said the proud Arellano University product.

“Like coach always says, I just need to contribute to the team, do my role as a setter, and focus on my goals. So that’s what I’m doing, just training hard and staying happy.”

Villados edged out Criss Cross teammates Jude Garcia, Jaron Requinton and Noel Kampton for the weekly plum deliberated by print and online reporters covering the pioneering men’s volleyball league organized by Sports Vision.

READ: Spikers’ Turf: Criss Cross sweeps VNS for share of lead

Also in the running were Cignal’s Louie Ramirez, UST-Gameville’s Josh Ybañez, Savouge’s Mark Calado and Reymark Betco, and the Alpha Insurance pair of Rocky Motol and Barbie San Andres.

Villados and Criss Cross will now aim for their fourth-straight win on Wednesday against Savouge at the Paco Arena in the action-packed tournament, streamed live and on-demand via the Pilipinas Live app and on www.spikersturf.ph.

Despite their strong start, the young setter knows that Criss Cross’ form remains a work in progress, especially after their second set collapse against the Super Spikers.

“There’s still a lot we need to work on, especially in the second set where we made a lot of mistakes,” he said.

“Like they always say, we take it one game at a time, one point at a time. We just keep training.”