Ateneo-Fudgee Barr tries to bounce back from a sorry five-set setback to VNS as it clashes with a debuting Navy side while National U-Sta. Elena and Army likewise kick off their respective campaigns in the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference today at the Paco Arena in Manila.
The Eagles failed to match the VNS-One Alicia spikers’ strong start in the decider and absorbed a 21-25, 25-22, 20-25, 25-23, 9-15 loss in last Tuesday’s twinbill marking the resumption of the country’s first men’s volley league after a three-year hiatus due to pandemic.
But they are expected to make the necessary adjustments in time for their 5:30 p.m. game with the Corvettes, to be led by Joven de la Vega and Joshua Umandal, who is fresh from a stint with Bahrain’s Bani Jamra.
Fancied Cignal HD ripped a young Sta. Rosa squad, 25-17, 25-15, 25-22, to share the early lead with VNS in the seven-team single round robin elims of the league organized by Sports Vision.
The 2:30 p.m. duel between the Nationals and the Troopers also promises to be an explosive match with the former boasting of national team standouts Joshua Retamar and Nico Almendras while PJ Rojas is expected to lead the Troopers’ assault for the much-needed head-start.
NU-Sta. Elena is coming into the seven-team competition in top form following a runner-up finish in the ASEAN University Games in Thailand and a fourth-place effort in Thailand’s WSVI Datuk Bandar Cup.
“Malaking tulong sa amin yung tournaments na ‘yun heading to the Spikers’ Turf kasi yun ang una naming tournament since UAAP Season 82,” said Nationals head coach Dante Alinsunurin. “Tuloy-tuloy na kami after nito simula ngayong Spikers’ Turf papunta sa UAAP.”
Games are telecast on One Sports and One Sports+ and the league’s official website http://spikersturf.ph/live.
