MPVA prioritizes volleyball grassroots but also welcomes ex-pro players

Executives and team representatives of the MPVA. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—The Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association (MPVA) will officially open on Sunday with its main purpose to promote the Philippine volleyball’s grassroots program.

On Wednesday at Club Filipino in San Juan, MPVA officials emphasized that their inaugural season will be to showcase the young talents of the taraflex, much like how  Manny Pacquiao envisioned it to be.

“We have a similar vision to seek out and nurture grassroots talents especially in the community, that’s why we’re community-based. That’s really the vision of Sen. Pacquiao,” said MPVA’s general counsel, Atty. Glen Gacal.

“It’s also to give platforms or opportunities for our volleyball talents here in the Philippines to show not just here but for all over the world.”

While the MPVA will parade young talents from the eight participating teams nationwide, the league will still be open to former professional players.

“There will be former players, but mostly we have a lot of homegrown (talents) which is good because that’s what we really want; community volleyball,” said league commissioner Mike Tavera.

“It’s also so we can see the talents of our other players, maybe they’re just shy. But really, I think we have three or four teams that are homegrown,” he added.

Contrary to what was expected to be the league’s team count for the inaugural season which was 10, only eight teams will be involved in the first MPVA conference.

This is due to time restraints from the other two teams.

The final participating cities will be Bacoor, Biñan, Caloocan, Marikinia, Nasipit, Negros Oriental, Rizal and San Juan.

The league officially opens at Ynares Antipolo Center in Rizal.