VNS overpowered Santa Rosa in the first two sets then hung tough in the next to complete a 25-17, 25-17, 29-27 victory and stay in the hunt for a semifinal berth in the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference at the Paco Arena on Sunday/
Russel Frondo scored a team-high 13 points on six huge blocks as the Griffins climbed to the fifth spot with a 5-3 (win-loss) mark while Pemmy Bagalay added 10 points and finished with 13 excellent receptions and five excellent digs.
Jeremy Pedrosa and Rocky Motol chipped in eight markers each while Ron Medalla and Jake Buslig had six points apiece for the Griffins, who will close out their elims campaign against the Navy Sealions on March 19.
“Super happy, syempre sabi ko nga sa kanila one game at a time lang tayo saka we still have two more remaining games. Nakuha namin yung goal namin ngayon na manalo but we still need to continue to practice,” said VNS assistant coach John De Guzman.
Cignal has clinched the first semis seat with a 9-0 slate while Cotabato, Iloilo and Imus tote 6-1, 6-2 and 6-3 cards, respectively, with two playdates left in the single round qualifiers. The top four will advance to the next round, another single round robin phase with the top two disputing the championship.
“We need to practice to get that goal, para makuha namin yung remaining games so super happy ako sa performance but not just that happy din ako kasi masaya silang nag-la-laro,” he added
Kevin Montemayor, who played for VNS in last year’s Open Conference, led the City Lions with 12 points while Yoyong Mendoza and Anruie Bakil had eight and six points, respectively.
Sta. Rosa closed out its campaign with a 4-6 record.
