AMC-Cotabato eyes a share of the lead when it battles listless Santa Rosa City in the main game of the double-header feature of the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference today at the Paco Arena in Manila.
Composed mostly of members of the national men’s volleyball team pool set to participate in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia, the unbeaten Cotabato Spikers are tagged as favorites in the 5:30 p.m. match against a struggling Lions side.
Meanwhile, crossing paths in the 3 p.m. tussle are Vanguard and Army.
AMC, handled by Philippine men’s team coach Odjie Mamon, shares the second spot with Cignal with 2-0 win-loss records behind league-leading Iloilo (3-0).
The Cotabato Spikers are fresh from a weeklong rest following its 25-15, 23-25, 25-22, 26-24, victory over Philippine Army.
Jau Umandal, Edward Camposano, Lloyd Josafat, libero Vince Lorenzo, Rex Intal, Jayvee Sumagaysay, setter Kim Dayandante, Madz Gampong and Jelex Mendiola are out to flex their muscles and also build their case to make the final national team roster that will see action in the biennial meet taking place in May.
It was Umandal and Camposano who did most of the damage in their previous outing and are expected to again deliver the goods to keep the Cotabato Spikers’ pristine record.
Santa Rosa, on the other hand, looks to end a three-game skid and claw its way out of the cellar it shares with idle defending champion National University.
The Lions are coming off a 19-25, 14-25, 23-25, defeat at the hands of Philippine Navy last Friday.
Uriel Mendoza, Mark Montemayor and Anrie Bakil would need more contributions from their teammates to save Santa Rosa from another setback.