The Spikers’ Turf’s bid to gain greater visibility and recognition in the country’s growing volleyball scene received a significant boost with Sports Vision’s scheduling innovation for the upcoming 2026 Invitational Conference.
The country’s first and only men’s volleyball league will have its matches sandwiched between two games of the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference beginning October 10 at the SM Seaside Cebu Arena, kicking off both leagues’ 10th anniversary celebrations.
Coaches of the 10 participating teams welcomed the opportunity to compete in bigger venues, believing that the increased exposure would allow their players to be seen and appreciated by a wider audience.
“We are happy and blessed na kasama na kami sa schedule ng PVL. Kaming Criss Cross, araw-araw kaming nagpapalakas para maibigay namin yung pinakabest namin this season. Hopefully, ma-defend namin ang championship and ma-survive namin ang training ni Coach Tai araw-araw,” said defending champion Criss Cross assistant coach Paul Jan Doloiras.
The opening day will feature Alpha Insurance and Savouge at 3:30 p.m., sandwiched between the PVL matchup between Capital1 and Choco Mucho at 1 p.m. and the 6 p.m. clash between Creamline and Akari.
“Very excited po kasi this is the Cabstars’ second conference sa Spikers’ Turf and syempre excited kasi after ng PVL, Spikers’ Turf naman tapos PVL ulit. Mas magandang opportunity na ma-showcase ang talents namin kasi mas maraming manonood eh. Mamamarket din lalo ang Spikers’ Turf,” said Cabstars head coach Kitty Antiporta, who guided the team to a bronze-medal finish in the 2026 Open Conference.
“Excited kami kasi mas maraming manonood, mas lalong gaganahan ‘yung athletes natin syempre at mas mamamarket ang men’s volleyball,” added 3B head coach Arjay Francisco.
Alpha Insurance head coach Mike Santos echoed the sentiments of his fellow tacticians, expressing excitement over the opportunity to showcase the men’s division to a larger audience. His team will be among the first to experience the new scheduling format.
“Very excited ang mga players at ang management. Actually, matagal na nilang hinihintay na maisama yung Spikers’ Turf sa PVL. Ngayon nga, nangyari na. I think mas magiging maganda yung labanan ngayon kasi mas mataas ang morale ng mga players dahil mas maraming makakapanood sa kanila,” he said.
Rounding out the 10-team field for the elimination round are the youthful VNS, returning Armed Forces of the Philippines, and debuting Clearskiiin, along with Far Eastern University and National University, the top two teams from the V-League Collegiate Challenge.
The teams will compete in a single-round robin, with the top four advancing to the semifinals, where two foreign guest teams will join them.
For Ralph Ocampo, the scheduling innovation could significantly benefit the Griffins, who have built their identity as a grassroots club team since their inception.
“Very excited kami sa pagsama natin sa PVL schedule kasi bilang grassroots team dito sa Spikers’ Turf, marami kaming kids na i-sho-showcase ngayon na we can say na kayang makipagsabayan sa mga kuya nila. Being with PVL, makikita ng mga tao na, hopefully, mas marami pang bata na mangarap at mas galingan nila para makapag-participate sila sa mga malalaking tournaments,” said Ocampo.
Aside from having their matches played between PVL games, the Spikers’ Turf will retain exclusive playing dates at the Filoil Centre in San Juan.
