Since January 1, transactions in the Premier Volleyball League have taken over local sporting headlines.
It all started with Sta. Lucia and Perlas decided to take a leave of absence for this season. It sent 29 players to the free agency pool.
Then came the bevy of moves from the member teams.
Petro Gazz was not able to keep nine of their players from last season but was eventually able to get MJ Phillips, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, Bang Pineda, Cienne Cruz, Djanel Cheng, Jonah Sabete, Nicole Tiamzon, and Yeye Gabarda.
Cignal, meanwhile, loaded up by signing Ria Meneses, Ces Molina, Jerrili Malabanan, Marist Layug, and Glaudine Troncoso.
Not to be outdone, Choco Mucho signed former F2 Logistics mainstays Aduke Ogunsanya and Des Cheng, along with Thang Ponce and Isa Molde.
PLDT though was the team that rebuilt on the fly.
First off, it tapped George Pascua to replace Roger Gorayeb. Then came their nine acquisitions in Mika Reyes, Kath Arado, Dell Palomata, Jovie Prado, Jessey De Leon, Mean Mendrez, Wendy Semana, Fiola Ceballos, and Lhara Clavano.
In the midset of it all, former V-League MVP Sue Roces also announced her retirement.
As these moves were made, Bryan Bagunas has been keeping tabs on it.
And the Oita Miyoshi star could not help but wonder out loud.
Taas kamay sa mga napapa sana all sa mga nakikitang news about sa Women’s League sa pinas.
— Bryan Bagunas (@bryanbagunas01_) January 20, 2022
Tokyo ace Marck Espejo would reply.
Gagawa na ako team ah kunin kita, ikaw na captain agad! Para kunwari kasali rin tayo haha😂 https://t.co/uKLVOJeOhR
— Marck Espejo (@MarckEspejooo) January 20, 2022
Other men’s players would also reply.
— Jayvee Sumagaysay (@JSumagaysay07) January 20, 2022
— Wewe Medina (@andreimawel) January 20, 2022
Sana all nga https://t.co/QpTQgwhyVd
— Benok (@benok_a) January 20, 2022
HAHAHAHA may nakuha sakin HAHA 😂 online sabong nga lang , ako yong model hahahahaha charrrr ilalabas na , yong tago muna muka hahahaha 😂 char https://t.co/oeYvSCu4Ah
— Ricky Marcos 🇵🇭 (@marcos_ricky03) January 20, 2022
Even Peter Torres would break his Twitter hiatus.
Wala naman bago. Kaya nabubulok nalang sa gedli eh. 🤦🏻♂️ https://t.co/a3h2cHLMtS
— Peter Den Mar Torres (@peterdmtorres) January 20, 2022
Mid-2021, Sports Vision president Ricky Palou tried to restart the Spikers’ Turf by turning it pro. This as only pro leagues were able to get clearance to play.
However, not all team owners from the country’s only league for men’s volleyball were keen on turning pro.
“Right now, on Spikers Turf, we are talking to some of the teams. Parang tatlo lang gusto maging pro teams,” said Palou back on March 16 of last year.
“Some might be worried that their costs will shoot up with long-term contracts.”
Up until now, it’s still wait-and-see for the country’s male volleyball players.
Bagunas though hopes that he and his fellow players take this as a challenge.
Priii balang araw mapapansin din tayo kulang pa siguro napapakita natin laban lang ng laban 🤜🤛
— Bryan Bagunas (@bryanbagunas01_) January 20, 2022
