With 16-year-old playmaker Howard Guerra pulling the strings and a balanced attack keeping the Armed Forces of the Philippines guessing, VNS-Laticrete finally broke through in the 2026 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Tournament with a 30-28, 25-20, 25-21 victory on Tuesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
Guerra orchestrated the Griffins’ offense with 18 excellent sets, helping six players score at least three points while contributing four points of his own.
Veteran Jau Umandal led VNS-Laticrete with 18 points on 17-of-39 attacks and one block, while adding 10 excellent receptions and four digs.
(C) Spikers Turf Images
“Very inspiring ‘yung game for us kasi before mag-start, pumunta ‘yung AFP sa amin kasi they are checking out the kids kasi nga nakakalaro na namin sila dati eh, ngayon parang mga pamangkin na nila ‘to. Ang maganda doon ‘yung mga bata natuto sila kasi ang AFP very smart and experienced,” said head coach Ralph Ocampo.
Clinging to a slim 21-20 lead late in the third set, VNS-Laticrete capitalized on a service error by AFP’s Pol Salvador before Umandal hammered a spike off the blockers to extend the lead to 23-20.
James Buytrago answered with a quick hit for the Cavaliers, but Umandal struck again with a powerful spike off a mis-set before Guerra denied Alfred Pagulong at the net to seal the victory in one hour and 37 minutes.
Noy Pedrosa added 11 points, while 15-year-old Raphael Galapin chipped in nine for the Griffins, who improved to 1-3 and moved to ninth place in the standings.
Jayvee Sumagaysay contributed eight points, including three blocks, while 6-foot-5 Darryl Stover and 6-foot-4 John Dela Cruz added three points apiece.
VNS-Laticrete will next face 3B on November 3 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, between the PVL matches featuring Galeries-Akari and Nxled-Choco Mucho.
(C) Spikers Turf Images
It was another one-man show for AFP, which fell to 0-4 behind Ranran Abdilla’s 23-point performance on 20 attacks, two blocks, and one ace. He also recorded 12 excellent receptions and four digs.
Kevin Liberato added six points, while Salvador, Buytrago, and Herald Domingo chipped in five points apiece.
AFP will look to secure its elusive first win on November 4 against Clearskiiin at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.
