Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Tats Suzara revealed more details regarding the planned federation-backed national championships.
First off, Suzara unveiled that it will be called the PNVF Champions League and will feature eight teams. Target start date is on July of this year.
“We want to have a federation-owned national league. This is the same as in Thailand and in Indonesia. Walang PVL, UAAP, o PSL – we want to have the top eight teams, including one in Visayas and Mindanao,” said Suzara during Tuesday’s edition of the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum, powered by SMART.
Depending on the climate then, Suzara is looking at hosting the tournament inside a bubble – most probably in INSPIRE Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna.
Handling the organization of the meet will be the Events Council of the PNVF, which will still be headed by Suzara.
Meanwhile, stars Alyssa Valdez, Aby Marano, and Jaja Santiago all feel excited. The three also took part in the forum which is presented by San Miguel Corp., Go For Gold, MILO, Amelie Hotel Manila, Braska Restaurant, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).
For them, they can finally go up against each other after spending years separated due to the one-league policy of the Philippine Superliga.
“Sobrang excited talaga ako sa pag-unify nitong volleyball natin. At least man lang, ma-experience namin na may isang league na magkakasama kami ulit. Nakaka-miss na makalaban sina Alyssa and the other girls from PVL,” said Marano, who is currently with PSL club F2 Logistics.
“Kapag nagsama-sama kami sa isang liga, lahat tumataas, umaangat ‘yung level of volleyball performance.”
“New challenge, new motivation. Iba ‘yung excitement na mararamdaman mo, lalo na magkakaroon ng tournament to play against each other. And definitely this will actually help the growth of Philippine volleyball, not only for the women’s but also for the men’s,” chimed Valdez of Premier Volleyball League team Creamline.
Santiago also added that this unified league will also ease up the forming of national teams.
With the league owning the federation, getting approval from teams for their players to suit up for the country would not be a problem.
“Magiging madali na lang sa national team na bumuo kasi hindi na kailangang magpaalam pa dito sa club team na ito,” said the 6-foot-5 middle blocker for Saitama in Japan V.League. Santiago, who is still with Chery Tiggo, will come back in March.
“At least kapag sama-sama na tayo, iisa na lang. Kumbaga madali na lang para sa ating lahat na magsama-sama.”
