Valdez lauds PVL shift to pro label

Alyssa Valdez, easily volleyball’s biggest superstar, calls the Premier Volleyball League’s (PVL) shift into a professional league a milestone.

“For me it’s about time, this move will benefit the players, the officials, the league and volleyball itself,” Valdez said on Friday night in a Zoom webcast where the PVL officially declared itself to be professional.

Charo Soriano, a former Ateneo standout and now head of Beach Volleyball Republic, said the development would “allow players to choose volleyball as a primary career.”

“For me this is something else, a new beginning for players,” she said.

Ricky Palou, PVL president, said he needed some time to convince the team owners to make the jump.

“[B]ut after a series of Viber [messages] and emails and a few back and forth, we were able to convince them,” said Palou who used to be a top Philippine Basketball Association official.

Palou also assuaged the fears of collegiate stars who feared that with the PVL playing pro, their stint there will be misconstrued as turning pro themselves, thereby canceling their amateur statuses.

Palou said they will have two conferences—one with imports and another an all-Filipino—and a separate collegiate conference for students.

The PVL’s shift to the pros would also mean being subjected to a regulatory board like the Games and Amusements Board to make sure players and team owners adhere to contracts.

“Don’t look at us like a big brother, but just a brother who will guide you along the professional path,” GAB Chair Abraham Mitra said.

“It may add to the luster [of the PVL], advertising value, longevity and popularity,” the GAB chief added.

Palou said they are seeking approval from the interagency task force to resume training. The league plans to start a new season in February.