Pacquiao graces launch of MPVA season

MANILA, Philippines —   The Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association (MPVA) returns with a bang on Sunday featuring a larger and stronger cast following a rousing inaugural season won by Bacoor City last year.

In its first regular season with a longer format, the MPVA will field nine teams from eight pioneering members in a bid to bolster its mission of championing Philippine volleyball from the ground up.

“Malaking karangalan at kasiyahan ang nararamdaman ko sa paglunsad ng MPVA,” said founder and chairman Manny Pacquiao, also the man behind the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), at the league launch yesterday at the Sheraton Manila Hotel in Pasay.

“Ito ay hindi lang isang liga. Ito ay isang plataporma na nagdadala ng pag-asa at pagkakataon sa mga talento sa grassroots volleyball sa buong Pilipinas. Ito ang liga para sa lahat.”

Aside from the Strikers who will host the opener this weekend in Bacoor, the MPVA will feature runner-up Negros and third-placer Marikina along with returnees Caloocan, Biñan, Rizal and San Juan.

Debuting teams are Quezon Province and Valenzuela City while Nasipit from Agusan del Norte begged off this time after its stint in the inaugurals.

All teams will vie in the double-round eliminations with the Top Four advancing to the semifinals. The No. 1 and No. 2 teams will sport twice-to-beat incentives.