Superliga finalist in ‘asian oscar’ award

MANILA, Philippines — Ahead of the opening fireworks of its All Filipino Conference and inaugural Collegiate Grand Slam, the Philippine Superliga gained international acclaim as it made it as a finalist in the prestigious Sports Industry Awards Asia for 2018.

The PSL is in the running for Best Women’s Sports Event (Team or Individual) Category by the SPIA Asia, considered as the “Oscar Awards of Sports in Asia”  which recognizes organizations that influence and make a big difference in all aspects of sporting life. 

The lone Phl entry in the final shortlist, the PSL is vying for the plum against the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Jordan, AFC Women’s Futsal Championship in Thailand, Asia Women’s Hockey Champions Trophy in Korea, WTA Finals in Singapore, CFC Foundation and UNDP Global Goals Women’s World Cup in Thailand, Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Open in UAE, HSBC Women’s World Championship in Singapore, Japan Women’s Sevens in Japan, and Women’s Twenty20 Asia Cup in Malaysia.

“This is the first time in the history of Philippine sports and Philippine volleyball that the PSL was named finalist in this category,” PSL chairman Philip Ella Juico said during yesterday’s press con.

The winner will be known during the SPIA Industry Awards and Conference slated Nov. 19-20 at Centralworld in Bangkok.

“It’s a distinction for us. We’re proud of it because it validates and strengthens our honest hard work and sincere advocacy and it inspires us to face the challenges in front of us,” said Juico. “We greatly appreciate it, this is a distinct honor, the first time an organization from the Philippines has been nominated in this category.”

The news of the nomination sweetened the launch of the All Filipino, which kicks off Oct. 30 at the Filoil Flying V Center and the Collegiate GS, which gets going Nov. 3 as curtain raiser to AFC action at Ynares Sports Center.

Eight clubs will be vying for the coveted crown – F2 Logistics, Smart Giga Hitters, Sta. Lucia Lady Realtors, Petron Blaze Spikers, Generika Ayala Lifesavers, Cignal HD Spikers, Cocolife Asset Managers, and Foton Tornadoes Blue Energy.

Meanwhile, six squads will contest top honors in the Saturday-only Collegiate meet in Colegio San Agustin-Biñan, University of the Philippines, De La Salle University-Dasmariñas, University of Santo Tomas, University of the East and Far Eastern University.