PSL to hold beach tourney, Champions Cup

MANILA, Philippines – It's going to be an action-packed year for volleyball fans as the Philippine Superliga (PSL) organizes two explosive events that will spice up the staging of the All-Filipino Conference and the import-laced Grand Prix next year.

PSL president Ramon Suzara on Wednesday bared that they are set to organize a beach volleyball tournament as well as a Champions Cup where the triumphant teams from the PSL, Shakey's V-League, University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) will collide to determine the queens of hardcourt.

Aside from the four major stakeholders, a pair of national teams from Asian countries will also be invited to join, a development that will surely increase the level of competition in the pocket tourney which will last for only three days sometime in April.

Suzara added that they are already in close coordination with Taguig City mayor Lani Cayetano and Congressman Lino Cayetano about the establishment of an Olympic-standard sand court that will serve as the venue of the beach volleyball competitions.

All games will be played at night and the competitors will come from teams competing in the All-Filipino Cup.

"We will ask all teams to field their strongest – and prettiest – players in the beach volleyball competition," said Suzara, the former secretary-general of the Philippine Volleyball Federation and an active member of the Asian Volleyball Confederation and International Volleyball Federation.

"All games will be held at night and we promise to have a party atmosphere every game. More than just competition, this beach volleyball event will be a total entertainment that will happen at the heart of Bonifacio Global City in Taguig."

So far, there are six teams in the women's division led by Grand Prix champion Petron together with Generika, RC Cola-Air Force, Cignal HD, Foton and Mane 'N Tail, which will change its name to Pocari Sweat.

But Suzara said the number might increase to eight or 10 since a handful of giant companies have already expressed their interest to join the country's first and only inter-club volleyball league.

Registration of new players starts on January followed by a pre-drafting and training camp. The rookie camp is set on Feb. 28 while the opening of All-Filipino Conference is set on March 8.

"We have three more teams coming, one from the Pangilinan group of companies and two more from the San Miguel Group. There are other companies wanting to really put in their teams but we wanted it to limit to just eight to 10. Mahirap kasi kung marami ang team, hahaba ang tournament,” said Suzara, adding that they are close to striking a deal with a new television partner.

"Mas mapapanood na ng maraming volleyball fans at supporters ang kanilang mga idolo hindi lamang sa live stream kundi pati sa free TV.”