Five days into the 2019 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference, the Philippine National Police Patrollers have backed out of the tournament.
The Patrollers failed to secure permission from their higher-ups, forcing them to withdraw from the competition.
With this, PNP will be replaced by San Beda University.
The Red Spikers had already expressed their interest in joining the second conference earlier this month, but league organizer Sports Vision had already completed its 24-team lineup at that time.
With PNP backing out, San Beda did not waste the opportunity.
San Beda joins the Sta. Elena-NU Ball Hammers (1-0), Arellano University Chiefs (1-0), University of Sto. Tomas Tiger Spikers (1-1), Mapua University Cardinals (0-2) and the Philippine Navy Sea Lions, who have not yet played a game in Group D.
The Red Spikers are coming off a disappointing NCAA Season 94 Men’s Volleyball campaign, finishing in ninth place with a 2-7 slate.
And the Mendiola-based spikers are looking to use the Open Conference as their main build-up for the upcoming season.
San Beda will get their first taste of action when they face Mapua on September 5, Thursday at 5:00 p.m.
