ISSUES surrounding Philippine volleyball continue to pile up, but for Dr. Ian Laurel, they have done little to alter the direction he has chosen for decades.
Suspensions, leadership turmoil, budget cuts, and administrative uncertainty have dominated headlines in recent months. Yet Laurel has largely stayed away from the noise, choosing instead to focus on the one aspect of the sport he believes he can influence.
Laurel is no stranger to issues involving some of Philippine volleyball's power brokers. Having spent decades in the sport, including as president of the now-defunct Philippine Superliga PSL, he has seen his share of political battles.
Rather than squabble up with those sporting hierarchies, the chairman and president of Athletic Events and Sports Management, Inc. (ACES) has charted his own course through the Shakey's Super League (SSL), continuing to push innovations aimed at strengthening the grassroots game.
Under Laurel's watch, the SSL has steadily expanded its reach by welcoming more collegiate and club teams, inviting overseas squads and staging tournaments beyond Metro Manila, all in a bid to widen the sport's footprint and provide more opportunities for young players across the country.
READ: Shakey's Super League brings foreign teams to Nat'l Invitationals
While conflicts continue to engulf some of Philippine volleyball's key stakeholders, Laurel believes he has found the right partner to continue pursuing that long-term vision in Shakey's Pizza Asia Ventures, Inc. (SPAVI), whose support dates back to a time when volleyball had yet to become a mainstream spectacle.
“If you remember, 20 years ago, volleyball was not even promoted or considered a sport that could be broadcast on TV, that could be watched by 20,000 fans in a venue. It wasn't in our consciousness,” he said.
“But because of Shakey’s, who has been there from the very start, they allowed us to grow this or to walk this path together with them, and it is such an honor.
“Kaya kahit anong nangyayari sa paligid na kaguluhan, as long as we have them and we share the same vision and we have the same goals, I think we'll be fine. Let's stay in our lane and just do our best to promote the sport.”
Who matters most
For Laurel, the measure of success has never been who occupies the boardroom.
Instead, he points to the steady pipeline of talent that has emerged through the years as proof that a long-term commitment to player development continues to bear fruit.
From Rachel Daquis and Alyssa Valdez during the V-League era to Bella Belen and Angel Canino in the current generation, Laurel sees those household names as evidence that investing in young athletes can outlast any administrative upheaval the sport faces.
“Nakikita niyo ngayon ‘yung mga ‘volleyball stars natin, dumaan sa Shakey’s ‘yung mga 'yan. As long as we're able to produce players that inspire the younger generations, as long as we can produce players who can provide a path for an education, for a profession, for probably a fan base that looks up to them as inspiration, then that's the goal. We've done our part," he said.
“Without Shakey’s these players might not have had a chance to be known or be popular and have the opportunities. So if you tell me what the dream is or what the bar is or what the ultimate goal is, it’s to develop young, brilliant women who find a way to inspire others.”
For Laurel, that remains the constant. Whatever direction the sport takes in the coming months, he is convinced that developing the next generation of players is the one investment that will always endure.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
