Giving Philippine Volleyball A Boost

Giving Volleyball A Boost

by rick olivares

By the time this column is out, the matter of the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference Finals between the Creamline Coolsmashers and the Petro Gazz Angels would have been settled.

Petro Gazz equalized with a four-set win last Saturday, July 13 to send the series to a winner-take-all Sunday Game 3. 

I like the fact the Petro Gazz has taken leaps and bounds to contend for the title. Obviously, Petro Gazz has designs on being the top team in the PVL and that is good. It is good that the Coolsmashers have competition if not a rival.

The last rivalry the PVL had was between BaliPure and Pocari Sweat. The Lady Warriors were looking at a rivalry with Creamline then but the latter club was getting its feet wet in the PVL. They had to wait until they added setter Jia Morado, libero Mel Gohing, and Michelle Gumabao before they won.

The Lady Warriors are now scattered across the league with teams like Motolite, Creamline, Petro Gazz, and BaliPure.

I thought when they “merged” with Philippine Air Force, the signs said they were on their way out. That team was not only winning, but they were also glamorous, and headline-makers.

Well, the finals of this conference will make headlines.

The Angles on the other hand, have accelerated their title ambitions. They not only limited Creamline’s imports in Kuttika Kaewpin and Aleoscar Blanco, but the Angels’ local stepped up too to ensure the win and series extension.

While the competition is good between the two sides, we’d like to see not only more parity but also a steadiness to the PVL roster of teams.

Banko Perlas is the only other tenured team. Pacific Town Army has been in and out. It is ironic considering that not only was Army and the other Armed Forces teams regulars but they carried the torch for volleyball for the longest time. With the popularity of volleyball and the rise of club volleyball and the pro-leagues leagues, the Armed Forces teams have been on the retreat.

They no longer have the best talent.

I think that the PVL should find ways to make their tournaments more economically viable for the clubs’ participation. That there are six teams bears testament to the need not only for parity but also being worth it for the teams.

It is nice to have BaliPure but you’ll never know how long they can continue. This is the fourth iteration of their squad showing a startling lack of continuity unlike Bank Perlas, Creamline, and Petro Gazz.

I love what the PVL is doing and they have done the sport well since the old Shakey’s V-League days. But times have changed and they too must adapt. I am happy that in my brief tenure with them, I managed to suggest and bring back the All-Star Game. There needs to be continuity.

I do hope that this hotly-contested final between Creamline and Petro Gazz brings is not only more fans but also interest and support for the game and the league. What helps them also helps local volleyball (along with what the PSL is doing).

At the end of the day, it is a good time to be a sports and volleyball fan.