Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao during a press conference for the Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—The inaugural season of the Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association (MPVA) will commence with a double-header at Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo, Rizal on Sunday.
After the ceremonies at 12 noon, Caloocan and Negros Oriental will clash for the opener of the Manny Pacquiao-backed league at 3:30 pm.
Then home bet Rizal will take on San Juan at 6 pm to conclude the day.
No Quezon City, Manila
Half of the league’s participating teams will see action as the MPVA confirmed that eight, and not 10, squads will be joining the first season.
The four cities that will see action are Bacoor, Biñan, Marikina and Nasipit.
Quezon City and Manila were not included in the league’s roster due to time restraints but commissioner Mike Tavera assured that those teams will be in action for next season.
“Next season, they’re joining, for sure. I think, maybe even more. The preparation of these eight teams, just one week and in a short span of time, they were able to produce teams, players and coaching staff,” said Tavera in Filipino at Filipino Club in San Juan on Wednesday.
“That’s not easy to do with a short span of time.”
The eight teams will play a single-round robin before being divided into two groups which will go on to play more pool games.
The top four teams after said matches will be granted a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals while the semis and final will be competed in a best-of-three series.