The Spikers’ Turf crossed a historic threshold on Friday as the league successfully staged matches at the Smart Araneta Coliseum for the first time.
For the first time in league history, the country’s top men’s volleyball players took the floor of the Big Dome — a venue long associated with the PVL, UAAP, PBA, and some of the nation’s most iconic sporting events.
For Criss Cross standouts Jude Garcia and Jaron Requinton, the experience was more than just historic. It was validation that the sport is finally rising to the level it deserves.
Garcia, a three-time league MVP, said stepping into the iconic arena felt like a breakthrough not only for the players, but for men’s volleyball as a whole.
“Sobrang saya kasi first time. Kasi nakakalaro ka lang dito sa UAAP lang,” Garcia said.
“Ngayon, talagang sobrang thankful sa Spikers’ Turf kasi pinunta nila yung men’s volleyball sa Big Dome. Talagang malaking level-up sa men’s volleyball dito sa Pilipinas yung ginawa nila. At sana magtuloy-tuloy yung pagsuporta ng mga fans.”
(C) Spikers Turf Images
He added that playing in a venue of this magnitude gives the sport momentum, something the players are determined to build on.
“Sobrang laking bagay kasi yung ganitong opportunity. Kung susuportahan palagi at magtuloy-tuloy yung support, talagang aangat mo yung men’s volleyball sa Pilipinas,” he said.
“Kaya sana hindi lang matapos dito yung start ng men’s volleyball. Paghihirapan namin na iangat pa yung men’s volleyball sa Pilipinas.”
Requinton echoed Garcia’s sentiments, noting that the turnout and support — especially from their PVL counterparts — reflected a shifting landscape.
“Para sa akin, nakakatuwa kasi first time makalaro ang Spikers’ Turf dito sa Big Dome,” Requinton said.
“Sinuportahan pa tayo ng mga players from PVL, and I think yun yung big factor kaya madami din nanood. Sobrang saya na pati yung women’s volleyball, sumusuporta sa men’s para mag-boom yung volleyball industry natin.”
He added that the Big Dome debut is only the beginning of where the league hopes to go.
“Kaya sana magtuloy-tuloy at ma-achieve din natin yung Mall of Asia Arena — isa-isahin lang natin,” he said.
“Feel ko naman, paunti-unti dadami ang manonood at susuporta sa lahat ng teams. Positive lang.”
The players believe this Araneta milestone is a major step toward making men’s volleyball a regular fixture in the country’s biggest venues.
Speaking for the rest of the league, they vowed to work even harder, looking forward to the day when the Big Dome becomes a true home for men’s volleyball.
