MANILA, Philippines – Starting this year, men's volleyball players will have a league of their own.
Shakey's V-League organizer Sports Vision on Tuesday launched the Spikers' Turf presented by PLDT Home Ultera with a total of eight teams battling it out for the title in the tournament, which unfolds on April 5 at The Arena in San Juan City.
"When we held our very first men's conference last year, we drew four teams and more wants to join," said Sports Vision's Moying Martelino in the weekly public service PSA Forum at the Shakey's Malate.
"And so we decided to just form a men's league of its own, which will be presented by PLDT Home Ultera," he added.
The Spikers' Turf will be spearheaded by Instituto Estetico Manila, which won the league's mini four-team event late last year, along with Champion Infinity, formerly Systema, Cagayan Valley, Cignal, Fourbees, Air Force, Army and Ultera.
This early though, Cagayan Valley and Ultera are fast emerging as the teams to watch after getting the best collegiate players in the country right now.
The Nes Pamilar-coached Rising Suns is composed of mainstays of Ateneo and National University, teams that fought in the 77th UAAP me's finals that was eventually won by the Eagles early this month.
Among Cagayan's leading players are Ateneo's Rex Intal and Marck Espejo and NU's Peter Torres.
Ultera, mentored by Odjie Mamon, will be led by University of Santo Tomas' Mark Gil Alfafara, College of St. Benilde's Johnvic de Guzman and Howard Mojica, the reigning NCAA MVP who powered Emilio Aguinaldo College to its first NCAA crown.
Also, actor Richard Gomez will spice up the league as he has rejoined Champion Infinity, formerly Systema.
"We're ready for the tournament and we see a tight, wide open title race," said Champion Infinity manager Sammy Gaddi.