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| Premier Volleyball League (PVL)'s top team Creamline Cool Smashers among those driving Philippine volleyball to new heights (Image Source: Premier Volleyball League) |
In a nation where many of its people are crazy over basketball amidst the adversity and challenging obstacles that they face in their daily lives, it would seem that volleyball is becoming a fast-emerging sport beyond expectation and regardless of its doubts and it is satisfyingly intriguing to know that the hoop-loving nation is widely opening its arms, and most especially its heart, to the spikes and serves that are surprisingly overwhelming to the public eye - something that basketball has been struggling to achieve in recent memory. That is how I think of Philippine volleyball as strongly evidenced by a consistent stream of strong turnouts in collegiate and professional leagues.
One case in point is the Premier Volleyball League (PVL), the first professional volleyball league in the country, and the powerhouse showdowns that make the league beyond special in the local sports landscape. The highly-anticipated showcase between Creamline Cool Smashers and Choco Mucho Flying Titans, two of PVL's star-studded squads, drew more than 17,000 spectators inside the Smart Araneta Coliseum last April 18, 2024 while Game 2 of the 2023 PVL All-Filipino Conference between these two teams became the most watched in the history of Philippine volleyball with over 24,000 fans on deck to witness Creamline's seventh championship title. Lest not forget, these would not have been possible without what redefined Philippine volleyball in today's modern world and that would be the most anticipated and highly fiercing rivalry between the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles headlined by Alyssa Valdez and De La Salle University Lady Archers powered by the likes of Ara Galang prior to the establishment of the PVL which has overwhelmingly drew huge crowds and strong broadcast and digital numbers throughout their time.
Valdez, popularly known as Philippine volleyball's Phenom and one of the catalysts behind the sport's rapid rise, has been overwhelmed by the immense support for women's volleyball that is now being cascaded across men's and beach volleyball and is grateful for the longstanding and unwavering love and patronage showcased by local volleyball fans and sports enthusiasts as well as the millions of people enjoying the sport. In an interview with SPIN.ph, Valdez commented, “Until now kasi, nakaka-speechless pa rin na ganun 'yung support na binibigay pa rin sa atin ng volleyball community. It’s just so nice always to play in front of all these people, sa mga nanonood din sa live on TV, napakasarap na makapagbigay ng magandang laro. We really do hope na magtuloy-tuloy 'yung support sa buong volleyball community — not only sa women's, the men’s, the Spikers’ Turf also has been really doing well. Even beach volleyball, they've played well also sa kanilang tournament just recently." Meanwhile, Choco Mucho ace spiker and reigning PVL MVP Sisi Rondina took pride in the recognition and love that the league and the sport receive from volleyball fans — some of whom traveled hours and miles just to see Philippine volleyball’s finest in the flesh. “Sobrang overwhelmed kami. Sabi nga ni Sir Jonathan (Ng) kanina, ganun na talaga na napamahal sa amin 'yung fans, lalong-lalo na sa Rebisco (teams). We're very grateful for them kasi mas nakikilala 'yung PVL — hindi lang kami, hindi lang din 'yung volleyball, the PVL itself. Nagpapasalamat kami kasi maraming bumibiyahe para lang mapanood kami. Sana mas maparami pa namin, kahit 'yung taga-ibang bansa pumunta na rin dito. Nagpapasalamat kami, grateful kami sa kanila,” said Rondina. Valdez added, “We really do hope na mag-grow tayo together and mas lumaki pa 'yung family natin dito. And to the Choco Mucho and Creamline fans, talagang saludo po kami sa inyong lahat sa binibigay niyo pong effort and time para po makapanood and maipakita sa’min ‘yung pagmamahal niyo."
On the other hand, its recent hosting of the 2024 AVC Beach Pro Tour Nuvali and the 2024 Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Futures Nuvali as well as last year's Volleyball Nations League showcased that the Philippines can be capable of hosting international volleyball tournaments as well as some of the top volleyball teams and players from different parts of the globe that can further help bolster and develop the local tourism scene. These efforts would eventually paid off as the country was officially announced as the solo host country of the 2025 FIVB Men's World Championship. But, these efforts and accomplishments are just the beginning as the Philippines continues to strive and do more than what they have achieved to become a global volleyball powerhouse in the foreseeable future. Philippine volleyball has no signs of slowing down, but its continuing journey of growth and stability shows that it is emerging towards new heights and I have my own hopes that Philippine basketball and other emerging sports disciplines such as football (soccer) and tennis should take lessons from it and challenge itself to do more beyond expectation.
