Entering its 10th year in the league, VNS Always Bright Laticrete is once again ready to highlight its core mission: developing young volleyball talent and giving them the platform to shine on the national stage.
The Griffins, the longest-tenured squad in the Sports Vision-organized Spikers’ Turf, first made their mark in 2016 and have remained steadfast in their goal of producing skilled men’s volleyball players for the Philippines.
VNS will officially kick off its Open Conference campaign on Wednesday, February 25, at the Filoil Centre, facing powerhouse Criss Cross at 3 p.m.
“We’re excited for the tournament because we’ve been in the Spikers’ Turf for a decade na rin,” said assistant coach JP De Guzman during Monday’s press conference at Dickey’s Barbecue Pit in Parqal, Parañaque. “Knowing na ‘yung pinakahabol talaga namin ay exposure ng kids namin from our developmental team.”
While a podium finish has eluded the Griffins over the past ten years, the team has successfully produced players who are now household names in Philippine men’s volleyball—a testament to its long-term vision.
For the 2026 Open Conference, VNS will continue to rely on its strategy of fielding young, hungry players ready to prove themselves in a competitive field that includes Criss Cross, Savouge, Alpha Insurance, Cabstars, and 3B.
Adding a new dimension to the roster is 18-year-old Fil-American Matthew Delgado, a towering 6-foot-6 opposite spiker from Mountain View, California, who can also contribute in the outside hitter role. His height and versatility make him a literal and figurative game-changer for the Griffins.
“While may mga nakuha ‘yung ibang teams from Cignal, kami naman we acquired a Fil-American 6-foot-6 player so I think he will be able to add more firepower for our team and more learning for our young kids,” De Guzman said.
Veterans Joshua Cruz and Roniey Adviento will anchor the team’s leadership on the court, while Terrence Marticion continues to emerge as one of the brightest young talents in the squad.
As the Griffins gear up for another season, their focus remains clear: giving young players the exposure and experience they need to grow, while steadily building toward that breakthrough moment in the Spikers’ Turf.
