Some 10 to 12 club teams will make an ideal setup for the Philippine Volleyball League in its initial phase as a professional tournament next year.
Sports Vision president Ricky Palou said this a week after the PVL made its decision to become a professional organization.
“We are not limiting ourselves to having new members. But having 10 to 12 teams is the ideal number for a professional tournament,” said Palou.
Palou discussed the plans of the PVL as a pro league during yesterday’s weekly Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Zoom.
Turning professional is a good development for the volleyball, according to Palou.
“This will be good for volleyball. Ang daming players na gagaling because of the competition,” added Palou,
While they have intentions to bring the game of volleyball to the pro level, the development of the players will not be neglected at the collegiate level.
“We will continue with the collegiate tournaments, because we want the players to develop their skills further,” said Palou.
There will be two commercial tournaments next year, an All-Filipino meet and another one reinforced by imports.
Collegiate competitions are also slated later in the year, according to Palou.
The interest of the National Collegiate Athletic Association to let players join the pro ranks is also noted. This will be possible through a special license that can be obtained from the Games and Amusement Board.
While the NCAA is open to this, the league is still consulting with the University Athletic Association of the Philippines if it will let its players join the pro competitions, or if it will be limited to the collegiate-level meets.
Among the teams which have agreed to form professional squads are Creamline, Petro Gazz, Motolite, Choco Mucho, Banko Perlas, and BaliPure.
The league will still encourage police, military and armed forces teams to join their tournaments. Peter Atencio