Unbeaten Iloilo shoots for the solo lead against a resurging VNS side in the Spikers' Turf Open Conference today at the Paco Arena.
Iloilo, in its maiden campaign, has been making a serious run in the 11-team field after winning back-to-back games for a share of the top spot with star-studded teams Cignal and Cotabato squads.
Banking on a seasoned crew bannered by five homegrown players, the Iloilo-based squad aims to separate from the rest in the 3 p.m. curtain-raiser.
Meanwhile, clashing at 5:30 p.m. are defending champion National University-Archipelago Builders and Philippine Air Force with both squads seeking to barge into the win column after dropping their first two outings.
But focus will be on Iloilo as it tries to keep its momentum going.
The D' Navigators defeated the Bulldogs in an emphatic fashion, 25-23, 25-20, 25-21, last week before going on a long break.
Jade Disquitado, Deanne de Pedro and Jerome Cordez will again lead Iloilo's assault following an impressive outing the last time out.
"This team has been playing together since 2007 so the bonding and chemistry are already there," Iloilo head coach John Kenneth Panes said.
VNS, however, is no pushover.
Despite a bad start, the Griffins rebounded in a hard-fought, 25-18, 30-28, 26-24, win over Vanguard for a 1-1 win-loss record tied with their victim, Army and Navy.
VNS will rely on Ron Medalla, Pemie Bagalay and Noy Pedrosa to string consecutive wins.
