Thrust into a bigger role, Adrian Villados has shown tremendous poise and maturity while filling in for Ish Polvorosa as Criss Cross’ lead setter in the 2025 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference.
With Polvorosa out due to knee injury, Villados displays his playmaking brilliance to power the King Crunchers to league-best 3-0 start in the prestigious men’s club volleyball tournament.
Villados, a proud Arellano University product, averaged 25.3 excellent sets per outing to spark the crowd-darling’s winning run.
For his veteran composure and decisive playmaking, Villados emerged as the first Spikers’ Turf Press Corps Player of the Week presented by Pilipinas Live for the period of 27 October to 2 November.
Villados tossed 22 excellent sets, coupled with three points, in Criss Cross’ 25-15, 23-25, 25-23, 25-14 win against PGJC-Navy to open the new conference last Tuesday at the FilOil EcoOil Arena.
He then followed it up with 20 excellent sets and four points in a 25-14, 25-15, 25-21 sweep over the VNS Griffins three days after.
The young setter’s finest performance came against nine-time champion Cignal, where he dished out an impressive 34 excellent sets in the King Crunchers’ 25-23, 24-26, 25-22, 25-18 statement win over their archrivals on Sunday.
While filling in for Polvorosa is no easy task, Villados credits his veterans and coaches at Criss Cross for providing ample guidance.
“Pressure was a factor. But I didn’t mind it because I know that my teammates and coaches were there to guide me,” Villados said.
“That’s what our coach has been telling me; I need to contribute to the team and play my role as a setter. That’s my goal.”