Spikers’ Turf Team Passion ahead of the Volleyball All-Star Showcase in Candon, Ilocos Sur. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
CANDON CITY — Criss Cross and Savouge are embracing the chance to learn one another’s cultures through the Volleyball All-Star Showcase on Friday at Candon City Arena in Ilocos Sur.
The primary-ever Spikers’ Turf All-Star game is ready at 3 p.m., with Savouge coach Sydney Calderon handling a Criss Cross-heavy Team Power and King Crunchers and two-time champion coach Tai Bundit calling the shots for Team Passion, bannered by the Spin Doctors.
READ: Spikers’ Turf: Criss Cross outlasts Savouge for first Open title
Calderon shall be handling Criss Cross stars Jude Garcia, Adrian Villados, Noel Kampton, Lloyd Josafat, Kim Malabunga, and Menard Guerrero and her player Louie Ramirez as her starters for Team Power.
The bench of Team Power features EJ Casaña and Vince Lorenzo (AEP-Cabstars), Billie Anima and JM Ronquillo (Alpha Insurance), Jaron Requinton and Ysay Marasigan (Criss Cross), and Jayvee Sumagaysay (VNS All the time Brilliant Laticrete).
WATCH: Team Power coach Sydney Calderon is worked up to handle the Criss Cross players. #PVLAllStar #SpikersTurf2026 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/k7nK6seigZ
— INQUIRER Sports (@inquirersports) April 29, 2026
“It’s a brand new experience but additionally exciting. Last season in Spikers’ Turf, they were on the opposite side, and now I’m coaching them. We had time to coach together, especially with the Criss Cross guys, and it’s been fun. They’re easy to handle and really welcoming,” said Calderon in Filipino.
READ: Spikers’ Turf: Malabunga, Marasigan, Schnake join All-Star forged
“It’s an enormous factor for me that we’re alongside the PVL. We understand how strong the engagement is in women’s volleyball, so hopefully that helps lift men’s volleyball too. We really want more support, especially for the reason that level in Spikers’ Turf keeps improving,” she added.
Five-time conference MVP Garcia and Game 3 hero Malabunga are embracing Calderon’s system for the All-Star showcase.
Spikers’ Turf Team Power ahead of the Volleyball All-Star Showcase in Candon, Ilocos Sur. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
“We’re going all out within the All-Star because that is the perfect of the perfect. We have now to bring our A-game. It’s an enormous opportunity to showcase men’s volleyball,” said Garcia.
“We’re also excited to play under Coach Sydney and show what we are able to do. Hopefully, this brings more support to men’s volleyball within the Philippines. It might probably be an enormous stepping stone.”
Malabunga, meanwhile, is desperate to mix Calderon’s “good vibes” approach with Bundit’s “blissful, blissful” system.
“Coach Sydney’s style is more ‘good vibes,’ while Coach Tai is more structured, but overall, training was solid. What I’m looking forward to is giving the fans an important game and hopefully inspiring more people to get into volleyball,” he said.
Team Passion, under Bundit, shall be led by Savouge’s Mark Calado, Vince Imperial, Giles Torres, and Rikko Marmeto together with his Criss Cross pair Alche Gupiteo and Poy Colinares, and Jau Umandal of Alpha Insurance.
Comprising Team Passion’s reserves are Nico Almendras, John Philip Pepito, and Gian Glorioso (Criss Cross), Mfena Gwaza and Jay Rack De La Noche (AEP-Cabstars), and Cian Silang (Alpha Insurance).
“I’m really looking forward to this because we’ll enjoy it here, and I also wish to experience Coach Tai’s training, even when it’s only for a short while,” said Calado. “Earlier, I used to be talking to Kuya Jude and we were laughing that even here, we’re still opponents. I actually wanted him as a teammate, but we’re still on opposite sides.”
Playing under Calderon, Calado knows that her coach will take this All-Star game seriously.
“Coach is absolutely competitive. I do know that regardless of who’s on her team, she’ll push them to fight hard. So expect us to be very competitive within the upcoming All-Star game,” he said.