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 nameVNS Volleyball Club Griffins
Short nameVNS
NicknameGriffins
Founded2013
Head coachRalph Ocampo
CaptainCharles Jordan Segui
LeagueSpikers' Turf
(Premier Volleyball League)
2024 Invitational8th place
Uniforms
Home
Away

History

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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

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Current roster

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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

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2024
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
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
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
2022
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
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
2018
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
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
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

Honors

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Team

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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 8th place [6]
Notes

PNVF:

Season Placement Ref.
2021 3rd place [3]
2022 9th place
2023 3rd place [8]
2024 4th place [9]

Individual

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Spikers' Turf/Premier Volleyball League:

Season Conference Award Name Ref.
2022 Open 2nd Best Outside Spiker John Benedict San Andres [10]

PNVF:

Season Conference Award Name Ref.
2021 Champions League 2nd Best Middle Blocker Rwenzmel Taguibolos [11]
2023 Challenge Cup Best Setter Jerome Lopez [12]
2024 Champions League Best Opposite Spiker Kevin Montemayor [13]

Team Captains

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  • Ralph Raymund Ocampo (20162017)
  • 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

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  • Fritz Michael Santos (2016)
  • John Pat de Guzman (20162017)
  • Rodrigo Palmero (2017)
  • Ralph Raymund Ocampo (2018–present)
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References

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  1. ^ a b "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. ^ a b 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. ^ "DLSU Ecooil salvages fifth place, dominates VNS". Spikers' Turf. December 1, 2024. Archived from the original on December 1, 2024. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  7. ^ Tarinay, Anna Reinette (October 3, 2018). "Spikers' Turf unwraps with Open Conference". BusinessMirror. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
  8. ^ "Letran, VNS cop bronze medal in PNVF Challenge Cup". Tiebreaker Times. 26 November 2023. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ Agcaoili, Lance (October 1, 2022). "Nationals' Nico Almendras wins Spikers' Turf MVP award". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved September 22, 2023.
  11. ^ Dannug, Jonash (4 December 2021). "Dasma's Mark Calado hailed as PNVFCL MVP". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ 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.