MEN'S volleyball in the Philippines isn’t backing down.
Spikers’ Turf will raise the curtains on its year-opening Open Conference on Wednesday, keeping the country’s pioneering men’s league alive despite a seismic offseason that saw nine-time champion Cignal step away.
Six teams banner the new tournament, with Rebisco-backed Criss Cross leading the field in its bid for a second title alongside Savouge, Alpha Insurance, VNS, returning squad 3B Event Masters and debutant AEP Cabstars.
Keeping the league afloat was no easy task, as Spikers’ Turf faced numerous challenges last year, from sustaining team participation to maintaining operations.
But further buoyed by the surge of interest following the Philippines’ hosting of the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship, the league presses on with a renewed mission to grow the local men’s game.
“The Spikers’ Turf still being here is a testament sa tibay ng men’s volleyball sa Pilipinas,” said tournament director Mozzy Ravena.
“Madali naman sana mawala, pero hinihingi talaga ng mga tao. Mafi-feel mo siguro na ‘yung mga tao are also excited to watch lalo na ngayon may mga bago tayo.”
Under the Sports Vision management, the league hopes to replicate the massive growth of the PVL on the women’s side and elevate men’s volleyball to similar heights in terms of fanfare and level of play.
"Nakikita naman namin how far na ‘yung women's volleyball is in the Philippines. Of course, we also want to help the men's volleyball game naman, volleyball teams in the Philippines na kahit papano, makipagsabayan din sa popularity and also sa competition na nakikita natin sa PVL," she added.
"Nasa fans naman ‘yan, and not only sa fans kasi kapag may mga nagtiwala na sa men’s teams na mga brands, mga sponsors, I know for a fact, eventually magkakaroon ‘yan dahil nakikita naman nila na ‘yung quality ng mga laro dito sa Spikers’ Turf, paganda nang paganda every season.
"Sana ganun din sa future na maging ganun ‘yung Spikers’ Turf [at] nagtitiwala ako na malayo pa ‘yung mararating ng Spikers’ Turf."
See the special vision
League president Alyssa Valdez believes the men’s game deserves the same spotlight that fueled the rise of women’s volleyball in the country.
A long-time icon of Philippine volleyball, the ‘Phenom’ sees immense potential in the current generation of male players and remains committed to supporting their growth.
I’m a firm believer of the talent of this generation, especially sa men’s volleyball. We've seen them fight and represented us so well in all the international tournaments, and we want our mga kababayans to also appreciate that and see that, kung gaano kalayo at gaano kalaki rin ‘yung opportunity na meron din sa men's volleyball," Valdez said.
“That’s why Spikers’ Turf will always be here to support them.”
Valdez hopes the wider volleyball community will rally behind her and the league’s vision as it continues to provide a platform for Filipino men's volleyball players.
"This is our happy place. And hopefully, it will stay like that as we try to achieve going all the way to support all these men's volleyball players," Valdez said.
"Saludo ko sa mga men's volleyball players. kasi hindi sila nagsasawang ipakita ‘yung talent nila kahit medyo may mga challenges na dumarating.
"Maraming, maraming salamat din sa kanila kasi buong-buo ‘yung loob nila para maglaro pa rin sa kani-kanilang teams at para sa bayan."
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