Palou: competition in the PVL will be intense

MANILA, Philippines—It was seen as a pipe dream at first but a singular professional volleyball league was established and thus paved an avenue for the Philippines’ top players to face each other ultimately.

PLDT, Cignal, Sta. Lucia, F2 Logistics, and Cherry Tigo’s jump to the Premier Volleyball League meant that inter-generational matchups are now possible and this is what the league has sought to create.

Ricky Palou, Sports Vision Management Management Group President, said that competition in the PVL will be as fierce as ever, especially with the Philippine Superliga’s influx.

“I think the competition this time will be more intense,” said Palou, himself a former Ateneo center in college, Thursday. “In the past there were two leagues and the teams could not play with each other.”

There were always the imagined scenarios but now matchups between Alyssa Valdez and Kalei Mau, Maddie Madayag and Mary Joy Baron, and Jia Morado and Rhea Dimaculangan will happen.

Old rivalries will also be rekindled with the likes Sue Roces taking on Rachel Anne Daquis once more or sisters Jaja Santiago and Dindin Santiago-Manabat taking against Kat Tolentino and Bea De Leon at the club level.

“I’m sure the players are ready to go and all of them are anxious to show their skills on how good they are,” said Palou.