Criss Cross’ Jude Garcia in Spikers’ Turf.–Photo from Spikers’ Turf

MANILA, Philippines — Maturity comes with experience.

Pitted against young and rising talents, Jude Garcia gave the youngbloods a little lesson on what grizzled veterans are made of.

The Criss Cross star flaunted veteran composure, and unquestionable heart down the stretch in delivering the decisive blows to carry his squad into the semifinals of the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference.

The King Crunchers turned to Garcia at crunch time to stave off La Salle-EcoOil’s third-set uprising for a 25-21, 25-12, 25-23 victory for their fourth straight win Sunday at the Ynares Sports Arena.

“Sobrang nakakagana kapag kalaban ‘yung mga bago, mga batang players ngayon kasi sobrang gaganda ng play style nila, sobrang bibilis ng mga plays,” Garcia said.

The Far Eastern University product tallied 20 points built on 18 attacks, a block, and an ace, which he paired with eight excellent receptions.

Garcia’s impressive showing earned him a second straight  Spikers’ Turf Press Corps Player of the Week award for November 20 to 24.

Thanks to his steady performance, the King Crunchers booked the third semis seat after hiking their record to 6-1 at the No. 3 spot.

“Kami naman talagang mas nagprepare din, siyempre matatanda na kami so kailangan ipakita namin ‘yung maturity namin sa laro hindi lang sa collegiate players, kailangan sa lahat ipakita mo ‘yung maturity tapos syempre ‘yung respect pa rin sa kalaban namin kahit sino pa man yan, bata man yan o matanda man yan sa amin, kailangan ipakita mo ‘yung respect saka maturity sa paglalaro,” Garcia said.

The Open Conference Most Valuable Player won via unanimous vote over contenders FEU-DN Steel’s Jelord Talisayan, Cignal’s Jau Umandal and Mark Calado, and Savouge Aesthetics’ Norwel Sanama for the weekly honor awarded by print and online media covering the league, which is streamed live and on-demand via the Pilipinas Live app and on www.spikersturf.ph.

With just two games left in the preliminary round, Garcia emphasized the importance of maintaining consistency in their chase for a breakthrough championship breakthrough.

“Yung consistency naman talaga ‘yung winiwork out ko this conference kasi last conference kinulang kami (sa Finals) so kailangan talaga, minamindset ko talaga sa sarili ko na dapat every game consistent ako,” he said.

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