VNS-Laticrete will enter the 2025 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference just like it did the previous editions - as one of the youngest squads in the tournament.
But the Griffins, as always, will also balance it out with some veterans that their youth movement can look up to for advice on and off the taraflex.
Despite their age though, VNS-Laticrete returning player Jayvee Sumagaysay warned that no one should be fooled with the team’s youthfulness by the numbers.
“For me kasi, bata sila sa edad pero when it comes sa skills and sa kundisyon ng katawan, para sa akin matanda na sila, matured na sila,” shared Sumagaysay on Monday during the league’s media day for the upcoming conference which will begin on Friday, Feb. 21, at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
“Siguro ang ineexpect ko na ipapakita ng team this conference is maganda kasi nakita naman natin last conference kung paano nagperform yung mga bata na kahit na champion team yung kalaban nila, Criss Cross ang kalaban nila, hindi sila nagpakita na naiintimidate sila. Yun yung pinakamaganda,” he continued.
The Griffins, handled by head coach Ralph Ocampo, will begin their campaign on Friday, 6 p.m., against back-to-back silver medalists Criss Cross King Crunchers.
The six-team tournament features a double round-robin preliminaries with the top four squads entering the round-robin semifinals.
Also serving as veterans are Kenneth Culabat and Bryan Jaleco while leading the young guns are CJ Segui, Howard Guerra, and Titus Villacrusis.
Sumagaysay played for the D’Navigators last conference but moved back to VNS-Laticrete for the 2025 season to share his knowledge once more to the up-and-coming players.
“Yung way nila kung paano nila tulungan and bigyan ng opportunity yung mga bata yun yung pinakareason kung bakit ako bumalik sa VNS,” said Sumagaysay.
“Same pa rin nung nagstart ako sa VNS, ang pinaka nilulook forward ko dito is yung maishare ko na yung knowledge ko sa paglalaro ng volleyball kasi alam natin na yung players ng VNS is mga bata so nandito na ako siguro sa phase ng career ko na mas gusto ko ng maishare yung knowledge ko na magbebenefit naman yung mga bata.”
