In a high-pressure moment, when nerves could easily have unraveled a lesser player, Jaron Requinton rose to the occasion, delivering a clutch performance that kept Criss Cross' championship dreams alive in the 2025 Spikers' Turf Open Conference.
The 24-year-old opposite hitter, who had struggled in Game 1, became the X-factor in Game 2, putting his team within a win of their first-ever title.
After a gut-wrenching defeat in the series opener, the King Crunchers stormed into Game 2 with renewed vigor. They dominated the first two sets, claiming a commanding 2-0 lead that seemed to put Cignal on the ropes.
But the defending champions weren't about to roll over. Cignal mounted a gritty comeback, forcing the match to a fifth and deciding set with a wave of momentum in their favor.
When the final set began, it was the HD Spikers who surged ahead, quickly establishing a 7-4 advantage and threatening to clinch the crown.
But Criss Cross wasn’t finished just yet. Marck Espejo and Gian Glorioso rose to the occasion, battling to keep their team within striking distance. Then, with the score tied at 11, Requinton’s moment of brilliance arrived.
Despite the mounting pressure, the 6-foot-2 opposite hitter unleashed back-to-back hits, pushing Criss Cross ahead to a 13-11 lead. That spark was enough to ignite his teammates, who closed out the match with a 15-12 victory in the fifth set, securing a crucial 3-2 win that set up a winner-take-all Game 3 on Sunday.
Requinton’s performance was nothing short of heroic. With 17 points in the match, he became the cornerstone of Criss Cross' comeback.
This was a massive improvement from Game 1, where he was limited to just five points in a heart-wrenching five-set loss.
"Yung pumasok sa isip ko talaga nung buong fifth set, hindi ko lang pinapahalata pero kinakabahan ako,” said Requinton, recalling the intensity of the moment. “Pero nung nandun si kuya Marck or one of our teammates nag sabi na walang imposible.”
In the midst of the high-stakes battle, Requinton found strength in a simple phrase.
He had written “Happy Happy” on the tape around his hand, a personal reminder to stay positive and maintain the joyful mindset that had fueled his success throughout the tournament.
“Kailangan maging positive ako kasi 'yung nakasulat sa kamay ko, 'happy', so kailangan i-adopt ko kung ano 'yung nilagay ko sa kamay ko, so kung may malungkot sa loob ng court or nawawala, dapat ako 'yung maglilift up sa kanila,” he explained. “Kung positive 'yung mga kasama ko sa loob court, sino ba naman ako para maging negative.”
This mindset shift was key to his ability to shake off the pressure and deliver when it mattered most.
The energetic winger, who has been a source of positivity both on and off the court, carried that positivity into Game 2 and helped Criss Cross force a third and final showdown for the championship.
With Game 3 on the horizon, Requinton is determined to carry the momentum from his stellar performance into the decisive match.
For him, the goal is clear: to help Criss Cross secure the victory and their first-ever Spikers' Turf title.
