VNS, which absorbed a stinging straight-set defeat to Cotabato last Friday, bounced back via the same fashion, thwarting Vanguard in a match marked by protracted battles in the last two sets for a 25-18, 30-28, 26-24 victory in the 2023 Spikers' Turf Open Conference on Wednesday.
Down by as much as six in the second frame, the Griffins clawed back and forced a deuce at 24 before exchanging points with the Volley Hitters.
With Vanguard ahead 28-27, Nathan Sorio flunked his service to tie the set anew before Evo Riñon denied Vince Abrot at the net to send VNS at set point before Abrot's spike went straight to the net for the 2-0 Griffins advantage.
In the third, it was VNS who enjoyed a big lead midway, 19-12, before the Volley Hitters were able to come back and tie the game at 24 but Sorio committed a costly net touch violation before Pemie Bagalay finished the match with an off-the-block attack.
Returning Ron Medalla led the well-balanced offense of VNS with 11 points while Bagalay and Noy Pedrosa chimed in nine apiece.
Vanguard, which fell to 1-1 as well, was spearheaded by Vince Abrot, who was a one-man show, with 18 points.
Joven Camaganakan and Razzel Palisoc, both spectacular in the Volley Hitters win over National University-Archipelago last time, were limited to just three and four points, respectively.
