THE PHILIPPINE Super Liga will launch a men’s division club tournament alongside its women’s competition when its second season kicks off Nov. 10 at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Although the roster of teams has yet to be announced, PSL president Ramon “Tats” Suzara said the move aims to put the male players in line with the growing popularity of the women’s game in the country.
“Men’s volleyball has been left out in the cold for so long,” said Suzara, also a development officer of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB).
“While women’s volleyball has enjoyed tremendous success and following over the past years, our male players do not have a tournament to call their own.
“It is high time the PSL start following the FIVB programs and truly develop the sport in the country.”
The PSL could serve as a pool of talents for future men’s national teams, added Suzara.
“The PSL is here to help change our status. We will help all volleyball stakeholders in pushing the Philippines back to what it used to enjoy as a SEA Games power, and then as an Asian contender soon,” Suzara said.
The Philippines, formerly a volleyball power in the Southeast Asian region, went on a dip in the last two decades.
TMS Philippine Army ruled the initial staging of the women’s tournament of the initial Super Liga, which was handled by commissioner Ian Laurel.