Phl Super Liga may men’s division na

MANILA, Philippines - Lalo pang palalakasin ng Philippine Super Liga ang pagbuhay sa local volleyball sa pamamagitan ng paglulunsad sa men’s division club tournament.

Ito ay isasabay sa ikalawang season ng women’s meet sa Nobyembre 10 sa The San Juan Arena.

Sinabi ni Ramon ‘Tats’ Suzara, ang PSL president at International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) development commission officer, na ang kanilang hakbang ay para ipantay ang mga lalaking players sa popularidad ng mga women players.

Ang PSL, ayon pa kay Suzara, ay sumusuporta din sa ginagawang pagbabago sa Philippine Volleyball Federation (PVF) sa pamamagitan ng pagtutok sa mga high-end tournaments na siyang pagkukunan ng mga mga miyembro ng National teams.

“Men’s volleyball has been left out in the cold for so long,” wika ni Suzara. “While women’s volleyball has enjoyed tremendous success and following over the past years, our male players do not have a tournament to call their own. It is high time the PSL start following the FIVB programs and truly develop the sport in the country.”

Nangulelat ang bansa, dating isang volleyball po-wer sa Southeast Asian region, sa larangan ng volleyball sa nakaraang dalawang dekada.

“The PSL is here to help change our status. We will help all volleyball stakeholders in pushing the Philippines back to what it used to enjoy as a SEA Games power, and then as an Asian contender soon,” ani Suzara.

Ang inisyal na PSL tournament, sinalihan ng anim na woman squads at pinangasiwaan ni Commissioner Ian Laurel, ay pinagreynahan ng TMS-Philippine Army.

“We hope the men’s tournament the PSL is putting up will encourage more young male volleyball players to continue playing the sport even after their collegiate duties. We have proven a club level tournament will be accepted in our country as basketball was embraced by fans,” dagdag pa nito.