The Premier Volleyball League (PVL) officially turned professional on Friday.
Southeast Asian Games at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City last December 2019.
PHOTO BY ENRIQUE AGCAOILI
The players hailed the news as a welcome development.
“We’re very excited with this new development and we honestly can’t wait to be in this status as everyone mentioned,” said Choco Mocho middle hitter Bea de Leon during a virtual news conference organized by the Games and Amusements Board and the PVL last Friday night.
“It (pro status) brings such prestige in the league, and we can’t wait… I think it will add more motivation to the players coming to the league and who will be playing with us.”
For Banko Perlas outside hitter Nicole Tiamzon, the PVL turning pro means playing volleyball is a legitimate profession.
“Sometimes when we’re applying for some business transactions, people don’t recognize that what we do is also a profession, so we’re really looking forward to and excited for this opportunity,” Tiamzon said in Filipino.
Creamline outside hitter and Philippine volleyball superstar Alyssa Valdez said the development has great implications for young and aspiring volleyball players.
“Kids now have a league to look forward to [where they can] play someday,” Valdez said.
The PVL, formerly known as the Shakey’s V-League, started in 2004 with collegiate teams competing.
In 2011, it became a semi-professional league, allowing corporate teams to join. The Shakey’s V-League was eventually rebranded as the PVL in 2017.
The nine teams participating in the PVL are Creamline, Choco Mucho, Banko Perlas, Motolite, Petro Gazz, BaliPure, Chef’s Classics, Philippine Air Force and PacificTown.
So far, only Creamline, Choco Mucho, Banko Perlas, Motolite, Petro Gazz and BaliPure have committed to become professional clubs.