FORMER collegiate volleyball stars get an opportunity to continue strutting their wares when the Philippine Super Liga Invitational serves up its maiden season next month in partnership with one of the country’s top sports entertainment networks.
SportsCore, the event management group organizing the Super Liga, also hopes to complement the existing volleyball programs in the country.
“We hope the PSL will be the next venue for players to develop high-level skills in a local setting that conforms to the sport’s international standards,” said Ian Laurel, PSL Invitational commissioner and SportsCore vice president.
“The PSL should be a league that puts premium on the advancement of a volleyball player to pursue the sport after college.”
The popularity of women’s volleyball is on a high mainly due to the programs put in by University Athletic Association of the Philippines, the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the other leagues to combine the premier collegiate leagues’ stars.
Laurel, however, noted the need for a club destination for the athletes who have finished their collegiate playing years.
The Super Liga already has the backing of Solar Sports, which is among the country’s top sports entertainment networks.
“SportsCore will try to raise the level of competition in the sport with the Philippine Super Liga,” said Laurel.
Without a high-level club competition, Laurel said the country has found it difficult to form teams for international competitions.
Sanctioned by the Philippine Volleyball Federation, the PSL is also backed by the Philippine Sports Commission, the San Juan Arena, Healthway Medical, LGR outfitters, Lenovo, Vibram Five Fingers, Pagcor, Mikasa.