MANILA, Philippines — Marck Espejo took the blame for Criss Cross’ heartbreaking Game 3 loss as the first title remained elusive for the King Crunchers in the 2025 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference on Sunday at Philsports Arena.

After falling to a two-set deficit, Espejo was looking to extend the match, giving Criss Cross a 26-25 advantage in the third. However, his next attack went out and got blocked by Lloyd Josafat and Owa Retamar, putting Cignal at the championship point, 26-27.

Steven Rotter unleashed a massive back row hit, which was barely dug by libero Manuel Sumanguid, Espejo tried to save the ball, jumping over the ad board but the ball already landed as he broke down in tears with Criss Cross falling anew to Cignal, 22-25, 16-25, 26-28, in their third straight finals series on Sunday at Philsports Arena.

READ: Spikers’ Turf: Cignal claims three-peat, dispatches Criss Cross

Marck Espejo takes the blame in Criss Cross’ Game 3 loss. #SpikersTurf2025 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/vOq7eIEDzA

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) April 6, 2025

“In that set, I’m happy that the players coming off the bench stepped up and contributed,” said Espejo in Filipino after scoring six points in two sets played.

“But I’ll take responsibility for that set because I feel like I was the one who lost it for us. That’s how it is—I’ll bounce back. It’s part of growing as a player, but for me, I feel like I lost that third set for us.”

Criss Cross got Cignal’s numbers all conference long, beating the defending champion thrice in the elimination and semifinal rounds. However, the HD Spikers won the two most important games in the finals. 

“It’s sad, but we won’t stop because, for us, it’s still an achievement. The last time we lost, but this conference, we beat Cignal, swept the elimination and semifinals, and won one game in the Finals against Cignal,” said Espejo. “But in the end, we came up short. Still, it’s an achievement for us. Hopefully, next conference, we’ll be able to overcome this situation.”

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“Both teams really wanted to win. But I think we lacked mental toughness, like that championship mindset. Cignal’s always in the Finals, they know how to play under that kind of pressure. For us, Criss Cross, we made it to the Finals, but we didn’t have that championship mentality yet. So, mentally, we’ll push harder next time,” he added.

Former MVP Espejo, fresh from his Japan V.League stint, is eyeing another season in South Korea in the KOVO Draft next week. If he won’t make it, he vows to give his full commitment to Criss Cross and Alas Pilipinas.

“For now, probably the KOVO Draft and the national team if I get called up. But I’ll rest and focus on rehab first, especially since it’s been non-stop from Japan to now. Hopefully, I’ll play abroad again, or if not, I’ll stay with Criss Cross and give it everything I’ve got to win the championship next time,” Espejo said.