THE PVL and Spikers’ Turf have reached a point where simply growing is no longer enough.
As both leagues prepare for their 10th anniversary seasons, the next measure of progress is how much tougher they can make their competitions, with the goal of producing teams that can compete not only against each other but also against the best in the region.
That makes the milestone season less of a finish line and more of a checkpoint for Philippine volleyball.
READ: PVL unveils new 3-series format for 10th anniversary All-Filipino
PVL commissioner Sherwin Malonzo wants the next decade to come with a higher standard across both the women's and men's leagues.
“I want our teams to be competitive, not just locally but internationally. We’re looking at raising the bar for both the PVL and Spikers’ Turf," Malonzo said.
“Sana, we’ll be able to do that by inviting foreign teams and supporting the national program. I think that’s how I see it in the future, na tumataas ang level of competition natin.”
One way to get there is to bring international opposition into the domestic calendar, giving Filipino clubs a chance to measure their systems and players against different styles of play.
But competitiveness also depends on exposure, particularly for the Spikers’ Turf as it continues to build the men's game.
The league is set to have its matches played in between PVL games for every match day in the new season, giving its eight teams a chance to perform alongside the country's premier women's competition and in front of a larger audience.
Spikers' Turf tournament director Mozzy Ravena sees that as one of the incremental steps that can help move the men's game forward.
“I really believe in the competition of the tournament. It’s really just a matter of people seeing the games, watching the games, and I’m sure maa-appreciate talaga nila once they see it," she said/
“Of course, having foreign teams helps a lot in uplifting the men’s game, but for now, siyempre, little victories muna. It’s already a big step for us to be playing side by side with the PVL.”
The crossover also gives the two leagues a chance to strengthen their connection, with club volleyball presented more consistently as one product rather than two separate competitions.
The PVL wants clubs that can hold their own internationally. The Spikers’ Turf wants to make the men's game more visible and competitive. Both are looking at ways to give players more meaningful opportunities to develop.
So while the 10th anniversary will bring its share of celebrations, the bigger story is what the leagues want the milestone to represent: not a finish line, but a higher baseline for the next decade of Philippine volleyball.
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