Asian volley official to attend Superliga launch

MANILA, Philippines - Shanrit Wongprasert, executive vice president of the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) for the Southeast Asian Zone, will grace tomorrow’s launch of the Philippine Superliga, the country’s first volleyball club league.

The rites will be held at the seventh High in Bonifacio Global City to be highlighted by a sports fashion show featuring some of the country’s prettiest players. The press conference, meanwhile, is set Friday at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club’s clubhouse while the grand opening of the league will be on July 7 at the Philsports Arena starting at 1 p.m.

“The PSL will be honored by the presence of Mr. Wongprasert, one of the architects of volleyball’s rise in Thailand as president of Thailand Volleyball Association,” said Ramon Suzara, PSL president and chairman of the AVC Development and Marketing Committee. “It is the first time in the sport’s recent history that a high ranking regional official of volleyball will visit the country.”

Six teams have already signed up for the inaugural PSL, namely Cignal, Petron, PLDT (Philippine Long Distance Telephone), Cagayan Valley, PCSO-Bingo Milyonaryo and the Philippine Army.

SportsCore, a team of professional events managers whose experience include the organization of the fourth Asian Beach Games in Thailand and the coming Asian Wushu Championships to be hosted by Manila, is also behind the organization of the PSL.

Meanwhile, free tickets for the opening ceremony at the Philsports Arena will be given away. For details, contact SportsCore office, Unit 220 Cityland Vito Cruz Tower I, Vito Cruz Street, Malate, Manila at 353-3935.

“SportsCore and the PSL aim to give our female volleyball players a viable competitive field soon after they have finished collegiate play,” said PSL chairman Philip Ella Juico. “They are still at their prime soon after graduating from their collegiate courses, and PSL will fill the void in their level after the gains they have made playing in other leagues.

Other than TV partner Solar Sports, Asics as official shoes and Mikasa as official ball, the PSL has received valuable technical backing and support from the Philippine Sports Commission, the San Juan Arena,  Healthway Medical, LGR outfitter,  Lenovo,  Vibram Five Fingers and Pagcor. The league is sanctioned by the Philippine Volleyball Federation.