Philippine volleyball continues to thrive, showing no signs of slowing down in its remarkable ascent.
From hosting international volleyball competitions to packed match venues in both college and pro leagues, what has long been deemed a basketball-crazed nation opened not only its arms but also its heart to such a fast-emerging sport.
With talks on dwindling crowds in other local basketball leagues, the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) in particular is treading the opposite path — and the powerhouse showdown between star-studded sister teams Creamline and Choco Mucho was concrete proof.
READ: Creamline turns highly awaited match vs Choco Mucho into a three-set rout
For an elimination round game to be attended by 17, 396 fans at the historic Smart Araneta Coliseum, let alone on a Thursday night, is a breakthrough feat in itself. Last conference’s elimination round battle between the two teams at the same venue had a 14,014-strong crowd in attendance.
Roughly four months ago, Game Two of the 2023 PVL Second All-Filipno Conference Finals between Creamline and Choco Mucho became the most-watched indoor volleyball game in Philippine sporting history with 24,459 fans present to witness the Cool Smashers lift its league-best seventh title.
Creamline team captain Alyssa Valdez, hailed as one of the catalysts of Philippine volleyball’s rapid rise through years past, remains in awe of the immense support for the women’s game that has now started to cascade across men’s and beach volleyball.
The ‘Phenom’ expressed her heartfelt gratitude for the longstanding and unwavering support the Filipino volleyball community has showered to the players, teams and the sport altogether.
“Until now kasi, nakaka-speechless pa rin na ganun 'yung support na binibigay pa rin sa atin ng volleyball community. It’s just so nice always to play in front of all these people, sa mga nanonood din sa live on TV, napakasarap na makapagbigay ng magandang laro.
“We really do hope na magtuloy-tuloy 'yung support sa buong volleyball community — not only sa women's, the men’s, the Spikers’ Turf also has been really doing well. Even beach volleyball, they've played well also sa kanilang tournament just recently,” Valdez said.
All for the love of the game
Choco Mucho ace spiker and reigning PVL MVP Sisi Rondina took pride in the recognition and love that the league and the sport receive from volleyball fans — some of whom traveled hours and miles just to see Philippine volleyball’s finest in the flesh.
The journey towards growth and stability has only just begun for the sport in the country. For Rondina and Valdez, lifting the sport to new heights is one for the long haul and they’ll hope to see an even bigger Philippine volleyball family moving forward.
“Sobrang overwhelmed kami. Sabi nga ni Sir Jonathan (Ng) kanina, ganun na talaga na napamahal sa amin 'yung fans, lalong-lalo na sa Rebisco (teams). We're very grateful for them kasi mas nakikilala 'yung PVL — hindi lang kami, hindi lang din 'yung volleyball, the PVL itself.
“Nagpapasalamat kami kasi maraming bumibiyahe para lang mapanood kami. Sana mas maparami pa namin, kahit 'yung taga-ibang bansa pumunta na rin dito. Nagpapasalamat kami, grateful kami sa kanila,” said Rondina.
Valdez added: “We really do hope na mag-grow tayo together and mas lumaki pa 'yung family natin dito. And to the Choco Mucho and Creamline fans, talagang saludo po kami sa inyong lahat sa binibigay niyo pong effort and time para po makapanood and maipakita sa’min ‘yung pagmamahal niyo.”
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