Adrian Villados and the Criss Cross King Crunchers are 3-0 to open the 2025 Spikers' Turf Invitational Conference.
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.
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 for the period of 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 rivals on Sunday.
While filling in for Polvorosa is no easy task, Villados credits his veterans and coaches at Criss Cross for providing ample guidance.
“May factor na [pressure], pero hindi ko na iniisip ‘yun kasi nandiyan naman ‘yung mga kuya ko, lalo na sila coach para mag-guide sa akin,” he said.
“Yun lang, sabi nga ni coach, kailangan lang mag-contribute sa team and gawin ko lang ‘yung role ko as a setter, pati ‘yung goal ko. And ‘yun, training lang and happy 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.
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.
“Marami pa po kaming kulang and pagtatrabahuhan namin lalo na ‘yung second set, maraming mistakes doon,” he said.
“One game at a time sabi nga nila, at one point at a time. Training lang palagi.”