A shot of the crowd on PVL’s first game back at Mall of Asia Arena. PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Akari Lighting & Technology Corporation became the 10th team to join the Premier Volleyball League, the country’s only professional volleyball league.
Akari’s addition comes three years after it first joined the PVL three years ago when it backed Adamson during the 2019 Collegiate Conference.
“We are glad to welcome Akari to our PVL family,” said Sports Vision president Ricky Palou. “They have been in volleyball for so long and it’s good to see them go into the professional ranks.”
“We are excited to join the PVL. For Akari, it feels like we are graduating college since we are entering the pros,” said Akari sports director Russell Balbacal. “For years, we have been supporting grassroots and collegiate teams. We feel like this is the right time to go a level higher.”
Akari has been in the local sporting scene since 2016 when it also supported Adamson’s men’s basketball program and pep squads apart from the women’s volleyball squad.
Mozzy Ravena has been tapped as Akari’s team manager and will help in building the squad.
“We are excited because this will be a huge boost to our brand and will really help our marketing campaigns,” said Balbacal.