Vanguard may be a newcomer in the Spikers’ Turf but it has the luxury of having a veteran crew.
The Volley Hitters are looking to use this edge when they shoot for a second straight win and a share of the top spot against rebuilding VNS in the main feature of today’s Open Conference double-header action at the Paco Arena in Manila.
Fresh from a morale-boosting victory over new-look defending champion National University-Archipelago Builders, Vanguard hopes to sustain its momentum to join other undefeated teams Imus and Iloilo on the leaderboard.
Game time is at 5:30 p.m. following the 3 p.m. clash between back-to-back win-seeking teams Army and AMC-Cotabato.
Volley Hitters head coach Edjet Mabbayad relied on the trio of Razzel Palisoc, Joven Camaganakan and Ruvince Abrot to pull through against a young but determined Bulldogs, composed of NU’s Team B, in a five-setter thriller, 25-18, 18-25, 26-24, 13-25, 15-10, last 25 January.
Against the Griffins, Mabbayad is confident his team has the edge in a tight match.
“It’s a big advantage if you have veteran (players) in your team. Whatever happens, you know you have players that can step up at crunch time,” he said.
On the other hand, VNS is struggling following the exodus of most of its main guns from last year’s team that entered the Final Four.
The Griffins suffered a 21-25, 16-25, 23-25, drubbing at the hands of Cotabato with only Jake Buslig scoring in double figures.
Meanwhile, Cotabato and Army are tied with Vanguard and idle Cignal with 1-0 win-loss slates.
The Troopers defeated Navy in a come-from-behind fashion, 25-23, 19-25, 20-25, 25-22, 15-12, on the opening day last 22 January.
