Imus tries to keep the leaders in sight as it tangles with a struggling Vanguard side even as Army and Santa Rosa clash in the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference at the Paco Arena in Manila today.
The AJAA Spikers bounced back from a shutout loss to the Cignal HD Spikers with a five-set escape over Navy last Friday, putting them back on track after sweeping their first two matches with a victory over the Volley Hitters in their 3 p.m. clash to keep them within striking distance of unbeaten Iloilo and Cignal (4-0) and Cotabato (3-0).
Top hitter Louie Ramirez is expected to suit up anew for the AJAA Spikers after skipping their last match due do school concerns.
Hero Austria, Josh Villanueva and Ridz Muhali stepped up in the absence of Ramirez with the duo hoping to back Ramirez with another pair of superb games against the Volley Hitters, who dropped their last three games after an opening game victory.
Vanguard, meanwhile, will rely on Vince Abrot and Razzel Palisoc as it tries to revive its floundering campaign in the 11-team tournament organized by Sports Vision.
Clashing in the main game at 5:30 a.m. are Army and Santa Rosa with the Troopers seeking their third win in five games and the City Lions going all out for a second straight win after yielding their first four games.
"Hoping pa rin ako sa next games na mas mag improve pa kami kasi this set of player bago pa ito eh, mga bata pa rin talaga. It's a process pa rin kung paano namin papatatagin yung team namin," said Santa Rosa coach Edu Lirio, who will again count on his young guns, led by Kevin Montemayor, Yoyong Mendoza and Gabriel Magsino.
But the Troopers are also looking sharp after dispatching the Vanguard Volley Hitters in four last week with Benjaylo Labide, Kevin Liberato and PJ Rojas fancied to lead the team again to bolster their bid for the Top Four.
Games are telecast live on One Sports, One Sports+, Cignal Play, and SMART Live Stream.
