Criss Cross’ Ish Polvorosa in the Spikers’ Turf.–Photo from Spikers’ Turf
MANILA, Philippines — Behind every powerful spiker stands a brilliant playmaker.
Setter Ish Polvorosa epitomizes just that by bringing out the best in the Criss Cross King Crunchers.
His exceptional playmaking has been the driving force behind the King Crunchers’ dominant run, leading them to an unbeaten 6-0 win-loss record in the 2025 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference.
READ: Spikers’ Turf: Criss Cross hands Cignal its first loss via sweep
From the first round of the preliminaries to early second round, Polvorosa has orchestrated his team’s offense with precision and control.
The 27-year-old setter delivered 18 excellent sets in the King Crunchers’ stunning sweep of rivals Cignal HD Spikers, 25-23, 25-21, 25-17, while also recording four kill blocks against the league’s top spiking team after the first round on Wednesday at the FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan.
His masterful ball distribution was again on full display in sweeping Alpha Insurance Protectors, 25-10, 25-12, 25-11, dishing out 12 excellent sets and a point last Sunday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Despite their early dominance, Polvorosa and Criss Cross remain focused on the bigger picture.
“We’ve learned from the past year na hindi porket marami kaming panalo sa early games eh ‘yun na ‘yun. That’s not the goal,” said the former Ateneo standout. “At the end of the day, kailangan pa rin naming maging steadfast. Our mindset should be one game at a time towards that championship na pinapangarap namin.”
Since the team’s formation in early 2024, Criss Cross has come close to claiming the title twice, making the finals against Cignal in both Spikers’ Turf conferences. However, they fell short each time, leaving them hungry for redemption this year.
READ: Spikers’ Turf: Cignal wins Invitational at expense of Criss Cross
With a renewed mindset, Polvorosa is urging his team to focus on every play, every set, and every match, recognizing that every step is crucial in their journey.
So far, that approach is paying off for the league leaders.
“I think at this point in my career, I’ve gotten to the point na, you know, I really want to win, but at the same time, I don’t feel like I need to win to fulfill my soul. This year, ‘yun ‘yung naging mantra ko para mas ma-ease ‘yung burden sa’kin,” Polvorosa reflected.
“Yung mental fortitude ko na dapat nandun lang ako sa every point—hindi ako nagde-dwell dun sa ‘ay gusto ko makuha ‘yung championship.’ Parang masyado siyang nakatingin lang sa end. Kumbaga, ang natutunan ko from last year, i-enjoy din namin ‘yung journey namin and i-celebrate namin ‘yung bawat win, bawat point.”
Thanks to this refreshed mindset, Polvorosa has made history as the first setter to be named the Spikers’ Turf Press Corps Player of the Week presented by Pilipinas Live for the week of March 5 to 9.
The decorated setter outshined teammates Jude Garcia and Jaron Requinton, as well as Savouge’s Mark Calado and Cignal’s Wendel Miguel, for the weekly citation handed out by print and online reporters covering the competition streamed live and on-demand via the Pilipinas Live app and on www.spikersturf.ph.
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With a sharpened mentality and a team that continues to evolve, Criss Cross aims to extend its dominance as the King Crunchers face the VNS-Laticrete Griffins on Wednesday at the Ynares Sports Arena.
