May 20, 2024

Spikers' Turf: Jaron Requinton, Jude Garcia return to indoor volleyball with Criss Cross

Spikers
Jaron Requinton and Jude Garcia speak to reporters after Rebisco launched its Spikers' Turf team. | Photo (c) Mei-lin Lozada

Jaron Requinton and Jude Garcia have been mainstays in the Philippine beach volleyball scene for quite some time, so they know it takes some time to get used to indoor volleyball play.

They joined Rebisco's Criss Cross King Crunchers, which would be the newest team in the Spikers' Turf, led by Ysay Marasigan and coach Tai Bundit. 

"Sa'kin po kasi mga four years din akong nawala sa indoor, so malaking adjustment pa 'yung ginawa ko. Kasi 'yung lahat po nung skills na nagagawa ko during training is more like, mga galaw ng beach volleyball," Requinton explained to reporters.

"Buti na lang sa patience ng coaches namin saka ng teammates ko na tumutulong sakin mag-cheer up, slowly ko naiiba 'yung mga galawan ko sa loob ng court during training namin," he added.

Garcia, on the other hand, found it easier since he has started moving from beach to indoor starting college.

"Siguro isang linggo, two weeks ganon, nakaka-adapt na ako sa hard court," he said.

What was easier though, was bonding with their teammates such as Chu Nigha, Manuel Sumanguid III, and Geuel Asia--all formerly from the Cignal HD Spikers.

They are also joined by Rex Intal, Kim Malabunga, Ish Polvorosa, Vince Mangulabnan, Krung Arbasto, Philip Bagalay, Juvie Mangaring, and Gian Glorioso.

"Hindi mo mafi-feel na parang nasa magkaiba kaming klase ng volleyball," Requinton noted.

"Nagkakatugma 'yung mga attitude namin sa court. Kasi sa beach volley, super sasaya namin. 'Di ko expect na dito sa team po namin ngayon na parang hindi kami maho-homesick kumbaga. Sobrang laughtrip din sa loob ng court, o 'di kaya outside the court, may mga bonding din kami. Kaya parang hindi din nakakapanibago at the same time. Kaya nakakaenjoy lang kami dito sa new home namin," he added.

This is by no means the end of their beach volleyball career though. It's just that they'll be wiser in balancing their time.

"Siguro pwede siya like offseason, pero kung pagsasabayin siya sobrang hirap. Parang prone siya sa injuries, and nakakasunog rin sa katawan naming mga player," Garcia explained.

(With reports from Mei-lin Lozada, One Sports Digital)