By RICKIE SANTOS
LATELY, Pinoy sports fans find themselves in conversations centered on women’s volleyball's boom in the country.
At first, many thought the women’s volleyball attraction was limited to Metro Manila. But PVL insiders confirmed they have been getting a lot of calls and inquiries from interested parties based in the provinces who would like to host and promote PVL games.
It didn’t stop there. Philippine Daily Inquirer sports editor Francis Ochoa said on his Facebook page that his US-based aunts have never been big volleyball fans, but after downloading the Pilipinas Live app, they now enjoy volleyball games – played by both women and men.
From the looks of it, there’s no point in being in debates on which is now the national pastime. Most of the Philippines' male population still plays basketball and religiously follows most of the big leagues. No question.
On the other hand, anyone can see and say that women’s volleyball is the current fastest-rising spectator sport hereabouts. Clear, too.
Strengthening the grassroots
But the people who matter in women’s volleyball should not rest on their laurels. There's still tons to do to further raise awareness in the sport and, not to mention, build a much more solid following.
The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) should work with the Department of Education to make sure our schools have volleyballs and encourage PE instructors to teach our young students how to play.
With the media mileage given to women’s volleyball and its stars, stakeholders can penetrate the barangays. Inter-barangay meets can be held. During school breaks in the big cities, competent coaches can put up clinics.
After laying grassroots programs, it will be easier for volleyball bosses to discover talents and prospects.
READ Has volleyball replaced basketball as the national pastime?
Young'ns - done. Then it’s back to the pro superstars and promising collegiate heroes. Following and game attendance won’t be a problem for both the pro league and collegiate tournaments. Afficionados will continue to get their fill of exciting women’s volleyball games, but there will be a time when these fans will ask when the country will win in international competitions.
Yes, not with club teams in invitational tournaments on our shores, but with our very own newly christened Alas Pilipinas to pit their talents against other national teams.
Everyone must temper their expectations. The last time the Philippines brought home gold from the SEA Games’ women’s volleyball competition was in 1993 and our volleybelles’ last podium finish was in 2005.
It may take some time before we see Alas Pilipinas on the victors' stand. But we are in the right direction.
The PNVF and volleyball stakeholders are now hand-in-hand in their efforts to bring back Philippine volleyball's glory years. Early this month, the PVL was given a free hand to form, train, and manage the national team.
And the first international meet on tap for the new setup is the AVC Challenge Cup, which the Philippines is hosting from May 22 to 29.
Too bad Creamline Cool Smashers Tots Carlos and Jema Galanza couldn’t join the national team, as well as UAAP standouts Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon of champion National University and Casiey Dongallo of University of the East due to valid reasons. But Alas Pilipinas has its share of big names like Sisi Rondina, Eya Laure, Jia de Guzman, and Vanie Gandler, just to name a few.
In the last AVC Challenge Cup, the Philippines wound up 7th. With strong national teams entered, we may see an improvement or we may not. But the experience to be gained by the nationals will be valuable in the long run.
Reigning PVL MVP Brooke Van Sickle, as well as MJ Phillips and Savannah Davison are also in the process of switching national federations so they can represent the Philippines in international competitions.
How long will it be before the three can be part of Alas Pilipinas is anybody’s guess.
In some 19 months from now, all eyes will then be on the 2025 Thailand SEA Games women’s volleyball matches. With the sport’s boost and development, can we end our 20-year podium drought? Better yet, can we compete and maybe even surprise our powerhouse Southeast Asian neighbors Thailand and Vietnam?
If and when Alas Pilipinas turns out to be SEA Games miracle girls, PVL and UAAP officials will have major headaches, as, for sure, there will be an all-time high demand for tickets.
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