Jude Garcia, EJ Casaña, Sydney Calderon grateful as Spikers’ Turf gets bigger stage

Jude Garcia is grateful to see men’s volleyball finally getting its share of the spotlight, with the Spikers’ Turf taking center stage alongside the Premier Volleyball League as part of the league’s 10th-anniversary celebration.

The five-time Spikers’ Turf Most Valuable Player welcomed the integration of select men’s volleyball matches into PVL match days, hoping the increased exposure would attract more fans and help the sport gain greater recognition in the Philippines.

“Sobrang grateful and sobrang saya po ng pakiramdam namin kasi pangarap lang namin ‘to, eh, yung mapasama sa PVL, so yun, natupad na,” said Garcia.

The move allows the Spikers’ Turf to tap into the PVL’s established audience, giving men’s volleyball players a bigger platform to showcase their skills and attract new followers to the sport.

“So, hopefully, marami pang manood sa men’s volleyball and ma-recognize pa yung men’s volleyball sa Pilipinas, na maganda rin yung mga plays and yung games sa men’s volleyball,” he added.

The King Crunchers made the most of their first game under the new format, opening their title-retention bid with a dominant 25-15, 25-14, 25-12 sweep of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in the 2026 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference on Tuesday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

Garcia led all scorers with 13 points on seven attacks, four blocks, and two aces. He also tallied five excellent digs to help Criss Cross open its campaign with a convincing straight-set victory.

The match marked only the second time the Spikers’ Turf held games at the Big Dome, following its maiden appearance at the venue during last year’s Invitational Conference in November.

(C) Spikers Turf Images

Meanwhile, Alpha Insurance and Savouge made history in Cebu, competing in the first-ever Spikers’ Turf matchday integrated into the PVL schedule at the SM Seaside Cebu Arena. A record 13,180 fans turned out last Saturday to witness the historic occasion.

The teams delivered a thrilling contest, with the Protectors outlasting the Spin Doctors in five sets, 25-22, 19-25, 26-24, 22-25, 16-14, to cap the historic event with a hard-fought victory.

For Alpha Insurance setter EJ Casaña, the massive turnout sent chills down his spine, as he admitted that playing in front of such a large crowd was an experience he still needed to get used to.

Casaña, however, vowed to embrace the experience as he expressed hope that more fans would turn out to support men’s volleyball in the coming games.

“Ako po, at first, sobrang excited talaga kasi nabigyan na ng chance na mapansin ang men’s volleyball, and sobrang grateful,” said the former Alas Pilipinas setter.

“Kasi nga, kanina, may time na i-interview sana ako sa live. Sabi ko, baka puwedeng mag-focus muna ako kasi importanteng game ’to. Sobrang happy na nandito kami ngayon, and grateful kami sa fans na nag-cheer kanina. Sana po talagang magtuloy-tuloy,” he added.

(C) Spikers Turf Images

Despite the loss, Savouge head coach Sydney Calderon believes his team still came away with a victory of sorts, having played its part in a historic milestone as men’s volleyball continues to gain recognition.

Calderon also thanked Sports Vision, the organizer of both the PVL and Spikers’ Turf, for giving his team the opportunity to be part of the occasion and help bring men’s volleyball closer to the fans.

“Kahit natalo ‘man kami today, panalo pa rin kami kasi na-experience namin ‘yung Cebu. SI Savouge isa sa mga nag-open ng Spikers’ Turf sa games na in-between sa PVL, so history pa rin ‘yun,” Calderon said.

“So wala akong ibang masasabi pero grateful ako sa Spikers’ Turf management, sa Sports Vision na napa-experience sa’min ‘to. And siguro naninibago lang ‘yung men’s ngayon na sobrang daming crowd, na-overwhelm, pero masasanay na kami.Again, thank you so much din sa mga supporters na pumunta dito para mag-support din sa Spikers’ Turf.”

The Spikers’ Turf will hold a four-match schedule every Wednesday and Sunday, while select games will be played between PVL matches on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

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