VNS had a rough offseason heading into the 2023 season.
They lost all but three of their players from last year's Open Conference, including former national team members Ish Polvorosa and Kim Malabunga.
Young talents Ben San Andres, Ron Adviento, Yoyong Mendoza, and Kevin Montemayor were also gone, either transferring to other teams or focusing on their respective collegiate tournaments.
Only Noy Pedrosa, Jan Mangulabnan, and Joshua Cruz remained on the team. But Pedrosa, listed as a universal player, has been stepping up for the Griffins in the on-going Open Conference. He's leading the charge in the points category for VNS along with veterans Ron Medalla and Pemie Bagalay.
"It's really necessary to step up because our veterans from the last conference are no longer with us, so those who remained really need to step up to lift the team," Pedrosa shared after their five-set escape over National University-Archipelago on Sunday at Paco Arena.
Pedrosa was seldomly-used last conference as the Griffins side was loaded in all positions, but with the opportunity coming to him, he's not about to let it go.
"So far, Noy still needs a confidence booster because he only started playing as a starter now in his life, because he didn't get to start during his college days," said VNS head coach Ralph Ocampo.
"We are developing his confidence and of course his leadership skills because he is not a youngster anymore. It's just a continuous improvement," added the bench tactician.
Pedrosa is repaying the coaching staff's trust by being a key factor why VNS is with an even record of 2-2 midway through the preliminary round. The Iloilo-native produced 13 points against National U, his career-high in the Spikers' Turf. He has also scored nine points apiece against D'Navigators and Vanguard.
"I'm very happy because the coach's trust in me is so great, and I'm able to show it in the game. I'm able to perform well," said Pedrosa.
The team has a relatively new roster composition, but Ocampo is banking on Pedrosa's continuous rise of skills and performance to help the team reach greater heights. And so far, Pedrosa has been delivering.
