EcoOil-La Salle and Fudgee Barr-Ateneo, both absent in the last tournament, open Spikers’ Turf Invitational hostilities on Friday when they tangle with separate rivals in the season-ending conference at Paco Arena in Manila.
Noel Kampton and JM Ronquillo are expected to carry the scoring load for the fancied Green Spikers as they launch their campaign in Pool B against the VNS Griffins in the 3 p.m. opener of a twinbill that also pits the Blue Eagles against the Don Pacundo-La Salle-Dasmariñas Patriots at 5 p.m. in a Pool A clash.
Fifth placers in the Open ruled by the Cignal HD Spikers via sweep, the Griffins will be led by reigning NCAA Best Outside Spiker Barbie San Andres and national team mainstay Jayvee Sumagaysay.
La Salle and Ateneo begged off from joining the last Open Conference because of the ongoing UAAP tournament, but both sides are looking to make up for lost time and contend for no less than the title in the 24-team tournament.
The hard-hitting combo of Kennedy Batas and Matthew Salarzon, along with defensive ace Lance De Castro, will be leading the Eagles, while the Patriots will be bannered by playmakers Christian Hidalgo and Donald Brimon.
Play will be a single round robin elimination with the top two teams in each pool advancing to the knockout quarterfinal phase.
To spice up the title chase, the organizing Sports Vision said a foreign guest squad will join the semifinalists in a round-robin series with the top two disputing the championship in a winner-take-all match.