Spikers’ Turf 2025: MU Juniors bows out with a 1–6 record

Article by: Setheleh Liam G. Ramos

Graphics by: Alaisa C. Magueriano

Photo: Elizabeth Shyne T. Cuarteros

In preparation for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 101 Volleyball Tournament, members from Mapúa University’s Junior Volleyball Team competed in the 2025 Spikers’ Turf Tournament held from October 27 to November 29, falling after suffering a hard-fought 1–6 final tally.

Seeing the event as a stepping stone to build team chemistry and individual skills, NCAA Season 100 Most Valuable Player Kimmy Liray, along with fellow Cardinals Titus Villacrusis, Al Cordero, Sed Patadon,  Jao Arcillo,  RK Medino, and Jimwel Guerra, fought under the team Volleyball Never Stops (VNS) Griffins.

Falling short of a winning opener, Cignal Super Spikers nabbed the first game against VNS, 1–3, despite their strong efforts in a comeback in the latter sets, with Axel Book and Rk Medino leading the Cards with 11 points each on October 27 at the Paco Arena.

Struggling to find their footing, Criss Cross King Crunchers swept VNS, 0–3, with Liray and Medino contributing 11 points each as the team’s top scorers in an attempt to even out the scoreboard on October 31 at the same venue.

With eyes set on redemption, VNS fought for a second chance after winning a double overtime set to bring momentum their way, but was halted in a neck-and-neck final set against the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Spikers, 1–3, on November 2 at the FilOil EcoOil Centre. Book added another top-scorer title under his belt with 16 points from court-clearing spike attacks.

Starting off on the right foot, VNS managed to take the first set against Savouge Aesthetics Spin Doctors (SASD) but struck out after back-to-back close sets with Book and Medino pouring out 16 points each to help the team keep standing on November 7 at the Paco Arena.

With each game refining the team’s chemistry and individual skills, VNS slowly gained its stride but stumbled against the Far Eastern University D’Navigators (FEU DN) Tamaraws, 0–3, with Jerremy Pedrosa taking the spotlight as the team’s top scorer with 10 points on November 14 at the same venue.

Finding a light at the end of the tunnel, VNS dug up a reverse sweep to upset the Alpha Insurance Protector (ALP), 3–1, with Pedrosa showing off as the team’s lead with 17 points from 14 piercing spikes and three perfectly-timed blocks, followed by Medino racking up 15 points of his own on November 12, at the previous venue.

Attempting to maintain their newfound momentum, the griffins took off with the first set against the Philippine Navy Sea Lions (PGJC), but their tournament run came to an end with final set scores of 1–3 on November 16. Pedrosa and Liray pulled out their stops as the team’s top scorers with 15 and 14 points, respectively.

As their final match concluded, the valiant Griffins bowed out of the tournament with a commendable performance that showcased the players' passion and grit. Despite the minor setback, VNS aims to return stronger in upcoming tournaments.