Games today:
(Paco Arena)
12:30 p.m. — Army vs Iloilo
3 p.m. — VNS vs NU
5:30 p.m. — Vanguard vs Santa Rosa
Unbeaten Iloilo puts its pristine record on the line as it shoots for the solo lead in a clash with Philippine Army to begin a packed triple-bill playdate of the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference today at the Paco Arena.
Riding on the momentum of three straight victories, the D’ Navigators are favored against a Troopers side blowing hot and cold in their 12:30 p.m. clash.
Meanwhile, VNS faces winless defending champion National University at 3 p.m. while Vanguard and another listless squad, Santa Rosa City, cap the day at 5:30 p.m.
Iloilo is currently in a three-way tie atop the standings beside Cignal and Cotabato with identical 3-0 win-loss slates.
The D’ Navigators demolished the Griffins, 23-25, 25-16, 25-22, 25-23, last week to add to their list of victims following their conquest of Philippine Air Force and NU.
Jerome Cordez, Deanne de Pedro, Mfena Gwaza, Jade Disquitado and Rash Nursiddik, who all scored in double figures last game, area again expected to deliver the same numbers for the John Kenneth Panes-mentored squad.
“Just like what I always tell the team every game, we have to stay aggressive and keep our intensity from start to finish. We can’t take any team lightly,” Panes said.
Army, on the other hand, is still looking for consistency in its game.
The Troopers defeated Vanguard, 25-19, 25-22, 22-25, 25-18, last Wednesday for a 2-1 slate for fifth spot in the 11-club field.
Veterans PJ Rojas, Mark Enciso and skipper Benjaylo Labide will be in front of the Army’s charge to snatch back-to-back wins.
VNS and Vanguard hold 1-2 cards tied with the idle Philippine Navy.
NU is winless in three games while Santa Rosa City is worse at 0-4.
