VNS V.C.

The VNS Volleyball Club Griffins (originally, the Volleyball Never Stops Volleyball Club) are a professional men's volleyball team in the Philippines playing the Spikers' Turf. It previously played under various sponsorships.

VNS Griffins

Full name	VNS Volleyball Club Griffins
Short name	VNS
Nickname	Griffins
Founded	2013
Head coach	Ralph Ocampo
Captain	Charles Jordan Segui
League	Spikers' Turf (Premier Volleyball League)
2024 Open	6th place
Uniforms
Home Away

History

Volleyball Never Stops or VNS was established in 2013 by a group of team captains who played volleyball either at the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) or the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) as a means to be still able to play competitive volleyball even after they graduated from college. They often took part in exhibition games and various minor tournaments and were joined in by other UAAP and NCAA graduates.^[1]

In 2016, they were invited to take part in the semi-professional men's volleyball league, Spikers' Turf. They played under the name of their sponsor Bounty Fresh in their debut at the 2016 Open Conference. For the season-ending 2016 Reinforced Conference, they under the banner of another sponsor as the 100 Plus Active Spikers. In 2017, they joined the Premier Volleyball League, and took part as the Café Lupe Sunrisers for the whole 2017 season.^[1]

They would return to the Spiker's Turf in 2018 as the Fury Blazing Hitters. In 2019, they played as the VNS Griffins.

In 2021, VNS would take part in the 2021 PNVF Champions League as the Manileño Spikers.^[2] The Spikes clinched the bronze medal in the tournament, defeating Global Remit in the third place play off.^[3]

Name changes

• Bounty Fresh (2016 Open)
• 100 Plus Active Spikers (2016 Reinforced)
• Café Lupe Sunrisers (2017)
• Fury Blazing Hitters (2018)
• VNS Volleyball Club Griffins (2019, 2023)
• Manileño Spikers (2021)
• VNS–One Alicia Griffins (2022)
• VNS–Nasty (2024-present)

Current roster

Main article: 2024 Spikers' Turf Invitational Conference

VNS Griffins
Number	Player	Position	School
1	Kim Cris Liray	Outside Hitter
2	Joshua Cruz	Libero
3	Jan Mangulabnan	Setter
5	Roderick Medino	Opposite Hitter
7	Justin Yatco	Setter
8	Charles Jordan Segui (C)	Outside Hitter
9	Howard Guerra	Setter
10	Jimmar Flores	Libero
12	Terrence Marticion	Outside Hitter
13	Julius Lao Arcillo	Middle Blocker
14	Paul Alforque	Middle Blocker
15	Benjaylo Labide	Outside Hitter
17	Kenneth Daynata	Outside Hitter
18	Titus Villacrusis	Middle Blocker
19	Christian Olaes	Middle Blocker

• Head coach: Ralph Raymond Ocampo
• Assistant coach: John Patrick De Guzman

Previous rosters

2024

Open Conference Main article: 2024 Spikers' Turf Open Conference VNS-Nasty Number Player Position School 1 Adrian Imperial Setter 2 Roniey Adviento Middle Blocker CSB 3 Ron Medalla Outside Hitter ADMU 4 John Howard Guerra Opposite Hitter 5 Justin Yatco Setter CSB 6 Kimuel John Valmoria Libero NCBA 7 Michael Doria (C) Middle Blocker CSJL 8 Kimmy Liray Outside Hitter 9 Dominic Castañeda Setter SBU 10 Jester Bornel Middle Blocker EAC 11 Alfred Pagulong Outside Hitter MU 12 Keith Deferia Libero 13 Louis Bartolome Outside Hitter 14 Titus Villacrusis Middle Blocker 15 Julius Arcillo Middle Blocker 16 Kenneth Culabat Outside Hitter UE 19 Terrence Marticion Outside Hitter 22 Manuel Andrei Medina Outside Hitter UST 24 Kennry Malinis Opposite Hitter NU 25 Juniel Intal Middle Blocker PUP Head coach: Ralph Raymond Ocampo Assistant coach: John Patrick De Guzman

2023

Invitational Conference Main article: 2023 Spikers' Turf Invitational Conference VNS Griffins Number Player Position 1 Michael Mantahinay Setter 2 John Joshua Cruz Libero 3 Philip Michael Bagalay (C) Middle Blocker 4 Russel Fronda Middle Blocker 5 Lorence Cruz Setter 6 Kimuel John Valmoria Libero 7 Jayvee Sumagaysay Middle Blocker 8 Jeremy Pedrosa Outside Hitter 9 Ralph Aaron Lacuanan Middle Blocker 10 Veejay Samson Setter 11 Romel Angelo Aldovino Middle Blocker 12 Albukharie Sali Outside Hitter 13 Ben San Andres Outside Hitter 14 Charles Jordan Segui Outside Hitter 15 Sinmart Saporna Middle Blocker 17 Christian Dave Antonio Setter 18 Ron Medalla Opposite Spiker Head coach: Ralph Raymond Ocampo Assistant coach: John Patrick De Guzman Open Conference Main article: 2023 Spikers' Turf Open Conference VNS Griffins Number Player Position 1 Jake Raven Buslig Outside Hitter 2 John Joshua Cruz Libero 3 Philip Michael Bagalay Middle Blocker 4 Russel Fronda Middle Blocker 5 Evo Riñon Middle Blocker 6 Lorenzo Dulay Libero 8 Jeremy Pedrosa Outside Hitter 9 Rocky Roy Motol Opposite Spiker 10 Uriel Mendoza Outside Hitter 11 Albukharie Sali Outside Hitter 12 Jan Frederick Mangulabnan Setter 13 Neil Catap Opposite Spiker 14 Renz Jonaz Cruz Middle Blocker 15 Mark Deximo Setter 18 Ron Medalla (C) Opposite Spiker Head coach: Ralph Ocampo Assistant coach: John De Guzman

2022

Main article: 2022 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference VNS-One Alicia Griffins Number Player Position 0 Mike Jhoncell Gonzalvo Opposite Spiker 1 Adrian Rafael Imperial Setter 2 Roniey Adviento Middle Blocker 3 Jan Frederick Mangulabnan Setter 4 John Joshua Cruz Libero 6 Kim Malabunga Middle Blocker 7 Michael Christian Doria Middle Blocker 8 Jeremy Pedrosa Outside Hitter 9 Sean Axel Oliver Middle Blocker 10 Uriel Mendoza Outside Hitter 11 Alfred Pagulong Libero 12 R-vin Morris Gavan Opposite Spiker 13 John Benedict San Andres (C) Outside Hitter 14 Ish Polvorosa Setter 15 Jeremy Merat Opposite Spiker 16 Kevin Montemayor Opposite Spiker Head coach: Ralph Ocampo Assistant coach: Hans Chuacoco

2019

Main article: 2019 Spikers’ Turf Reinforced Conference Fury Blazing Hitters Number Player Position Ht. Wt. College 1 Raje Emmanuel Hizon Middle Blocker  kg Mapúa 2 Mc David Chua  kg Benilde 3 Phillip Michael Bagalay Middle Blocker  kg Mapúa 4 Samuel Paquiz Opposite Spiker  kg UP 6 Jeremy Merat Opposite Spiker  kg 7 Adrian Rafael Imperial  kg UE 8 Argelu Noel Alba Outside Hitter  kg UE 9 Anthony Koyfman Middle Blocker  kg Ateneo 10 Jonathan Cedric Eugenio Libero  kg SSC–R 11 Alfred Pagulong Libero  kg Mapúa 15 Charles Eugene Del Rio  kg 16 Manuel Andrei Medina Outside Hitter  kg UST 17 Geuel Asia (c) Setter  kg La Salle 18 Julius Anthony Sioson Outside Hitter  kg UST Coaching staff Head Coach: Ralph Ocampo Assistant Coach: Hans Chuacoco Team Staff Team Manager: Team Utility: Medical Staff Team Physician: Physical Therapist:

2018

Main article: 2018 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference Fury Blazing Hitters Number Player Position Ht. Wt. College Birth Date 1 Juvie Mark Mangarin Libero  kg 2 Brian Tan  kg 3 Phillip Michael Bagalay (c) Middle blocker  kg Mapúa 4 Riegmar Valies Opposite spiker  kg 5 Dion Canlas Libero  kg 7 Adrian Imperial  kg 8 John Joseph Cabillan Outside hitter  kg Arellano 9 Geuel Asia Setter  kg De La Salle 10 Joshua Jose  kg 11 Rene Lopez  kg 12 Geric Ortega  kg 14 Angelu Noel Alba  kg 17 Jasper John Adorador  kg 19 Kevin Liberato Middle blocker  kg Adamson Coaching staff Head Coach: Ralph Ocampo Assistant Coach: Bakhie Pareja Team Staff Team Manager: Team Utility: Medical Staff Team Physician: Physical Therapist:

2017

Open Conference For the Premier Volleyball League 1st Season Open Conference: Cafe Lupe Sunrisers No. Last Name First Name Position Ht. Wt. College Birth Date 1 Ocampo (c) Ralph Raymund Outside hitter  kg Mapúa 2 Liberato Kevin Middle blocker  kg Adamson 3 Reolalas James Victor  kg Saint Louis 4 Evangelista Francis Raven  kg Mapúa 5 Meneses Edmark Setter  kg Arellano 6 Ebrahim Jahir Outside hitter  kg San Sebastian 7 Doliente Manuel Opposite hitter  kg Perpetual 8 Pablico Paolo  kg Adamson 9 Barrrica Joshua Outside hitter  kg FEU 12 Chua Jay Joseph Libero  kg Letran 15 Hizon Raje Joaquin Middle Hitter  kg Mapúa 16 Sebastian Carlo Caesar  kg RTU 19 Sioson Julius Anthony  kg UST Coaching staff Head Coach: Rodrigo Palmero Assistant Coaches: Ronald Dulay Mario Mia Team Staff Team Manager: Team Utility: Medical Staff Team Physician: Physical Therapist: Reinforced Conference For the Premier Volleyball League 1st Season Reinforced Open Conference: Cafe Lupe Sunrisers No. Last Name First Name Position Ht. Wt. College Birth Date 1 Ocampo (c) Ralph Raymund  kg Mapúa 2 Liberato Kevin Middle Blocker  kg Adamson 3 Reolalas James Victor  kg Saint Louis 4 Evangelista Francis Raven  kg 5 Meneses Edmark Setter  kg 6 Ebrahim Jahir Outside Hitter  kg San Sebastian 7 Doliente Manuel Opposite Hitter  kg Perpetual 8 Pablico Paolo  kg 9 Barrrica Joshua Outside Hitter  kg 12 Chua Jay Libero  kg 15 Hizon Raje Joaquin Middle Blocker  kg Mapúa 16 Sebastian Carlo Caesar  kg 19 Sioson Julius Anthony  kg Coaching staff Head Coach: John Pat de Guzman Assistant Coach: Ronald Dulay Team Staff Team Manager: Team Utility: Medical Staff Team Physician: Physical Therapist:

Honors

Team

Spikers' Turf/Premier Volleyball League:

Season	Conference	Title	Source
2016	Open	5th place
	Reinforced	6th place
2017	Reinforced[a]	6th place
	Open[a]	8th place
2018	Reinforced [a]	did not compete
	Open	9th place	[4]
2019	Reinforced	9th place
	Open	11th place
2022	Open	4th place
2023	Open	5th place
	Invitational	10th place
2024	Open	6th place	[5]
	Invitational	TBD

Notes

1. with the Premier Volleyball League^[b]
2. Tarinay, Anna Reinette (October 3, 2018). "Spikers' Turf unwraps with Open Conference". BusinessMirror. Retrieved October 30, 2018.

PNVF:

Season	Placement	Ref.
2021	3rd place	[3]
2022	9th place
2023	3rd place	[6]
2024	4th place	[7]

Individual

Spikers' Turf/Premier Volleyball League:

Season	Conference	Award	Name	Ref.
2022	Open	2nd Best Outside Spiker	John Benedict San Andres	[8]

PNVF:

Season	Conference	Award	Name	Ref.
2021	Champions League	2nd Best Middle Blocker	Rwenzmel Taguibolos	[9]
2023	Challenge Cup	Best Setter	Jerome Lopez	[10]
2024	Champions League	Best Opposite Spiker	Kevin Montemayor	[11]

Team Captains

• Ralph Raymund Ocampo (2016–2017)
• Phillip Michael Bagalay (2018, 2023)
• Geuel Asia (2019)
• John Benedict San Andres (2022)
• Ron Medalla (2023)
• Michael Doria (2024)
• Charles Jordan Segui (2024–present)

Coaches

• Fritz Michael Santos (2016)
• John Pat de Guzman (2016–2017)
• Rodrigo Palmero (2017)
• Ralph Raymund Ocampo (2018–present)

External links

• VNS Volleyball Club on Facebook
• Café Lupe Sunrisers on Facebook

References

1. "Volleyball Never Stops partners with Café Lupe". ABS-CBN Sports. May 22, 2017. Archived from the original on 28 May 2017. Retrieved June 26, 2017.
2. Ulanday, John Bryan (30 November 2021). "Aguilas soar over Manileño". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
3. Micaller, Bea (4 December 2021). "Manileño Spikers sweep Global Remit, cop bronze in PNVF Champions League men's tilt". GMA News. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
4. "Spikers' Turf: Power hitters go for crown". Manila Bulletin. December 11, 2018. Retrieved December 11, 2018.
5. "Air Force rallies past VNS in 5". Spikers' Turf. April 26, 2024. Archived from the original on April 26, 2024. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
6. "Letran, VNS cop bronze medal in PNVF Challenge Cup". Tiebreaker Times. 26 November 2023. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
7. Bautista, Ohmer (February 17, 2023). "CSB Blazers subdue VNS Asereht Griffins, clinch PNVF bronze". One Sports. Archived from the original on February 17, 2024. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
8. Agcaoili, Lance (October 1, 2022). "Nationals' Nico Almendras wins Spikers' Turf MVP award". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved September 22, 2023.
9. Dannug, Jonash (4 December 2021). "Dasma's Mark Calado hailed as PNVFCL MVP". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
10. Malanum, Jean (November 26, 2023). "UST, CSB pocket PNVF Challenge Cup titles". Philippine News Agency. Archived from the original on March 19, 2024. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
11. Bautista, Ohmer (February 17, 2023). "Cignal's Jau Umandal cops PNVF Champions League MVP award". One Sports. Archived from the original on February 17, 2024. Retrieved February 17, 2023.