Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 9) – Newly-formed Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) is taking one big step to unify the country’s top volleyball teams and players.
As part of his 10-point strategy, newly-elected PNVF president Ramon “Tats” Suzara bared he aims to launch a national league that is owned and organized by the federation this July.
“This national league is the same as in Thailand and Indonesia where these are owned by the federation. Walang PSL, PVL o UAAP dito (There’s no PSL, PVL, or UAAP here), these are the top teams in the country including one from Visayas and Mindanao,” said Suzara during the Philippine Sportswriters Association forum. “I plan to propose it to the board and to call it PNVF Champions League.”
Only the top eight teams in the country will be able to participate in the elite tournament that will operate according to the highest standards of the sport’s International Federation.
According to the volleyball chief, an Events Council committee will be created within the national sporting association to spearhead and regulate the PNVF Champions League and all other competitions.
“This is the same as with the FIVB. There’s a chairman, a secretary, and 4-5 members and all of them are members of the council from the PVL, PSL, UAAP, NCAA and so on,” he explained.
Depending on the country’s situation, Suzara is eyeing a bubble set-up for the maiden tournament, pending the IATF’s support and approval.
“I’m not sure kung open yan o hindi but I’m looking at a bubble type of national league kung talagang restricted pa rin due to COVID-19,” said Suzara.
[Translation: I’m not sure if it would be open or not, but I’m looking at a bubble type of national league if everything is still restricted due to the pandemic.]
“Kaya sinabi kong July to give ample time to players to train. May kanya-kanyang liga pa ang mga players so I think July is a very good date,” he added.
[Translation: That’s why I said it would be in July to give ample time to players to train. Players are still active in their respective leagues, so I think July is a very good date.]
Meanwhile, the country’s top volleyball players also welcomed the development which has been a long time in the making.
“Sobrang excited talaga ako sa pag-unify nitong volleyball natin. At least man lang, ma- experience namin na merong isang league na magkakasama kami ulit. Nakakamiss nang makalaban sila Alyssa (Valdez) and other girls from the other league,” said Aby Marano.
[Translation: I’m very excited with the unification of our volleyball in the country. At least, we will experience that there is one league where we can play against each other again. I miss playing against Alyssa and other girls from the other league.]
“Ang maganda kasing effect niyan is kapag nagsama-sama kami sa isang liga, lahat kami nagko-compete with each other, lahat tumataas at umaangat yung level of volleyball performance,” she added.
[Translation: The good thing about this is when we joined all together in one league, we all play against each other. Hence, everyone’s level of volleyball performance will get better.]
For volleyball phenom Alyssa Valdez, she says the proposed national league will give veteran players like her a newfound sense of motivation.
“Iba yung excitement na nararamdaman mo knowing na magkakaroon ng isang tournament where we’ll play against each other, but healthy competition siya for sure and this will definitely help with the growth of Philippine volleyball,” said Valdez.
[Translation: The excitement is different when there is one tournament where we’ll play against each other, but it’s a healthy competition and this will definitely help with the growth of Philippine volleyball.]
Meanwhile, 6-foot-5 middle blocker Jaja Santiago likewise expressed her excitement while baring the possibility of her participation once her stint ends with Japanese club Ageo Medics. Santiago said that she would return to the country by end-March.
“I think pag nag-unify ang volleyball sa atin, magiging madali nalang sa national team natin na bumuo kasi hindi na kailangan magpaalam sa club teams,” she added.
[Translation: With the unification of our volleyball in the country, it would be easier to form the national team because there’s no need for players to seek permission from their respective club teams.]
